Town of Newtown, CT 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT
THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COMMISSION
11-15-2012
The Sustainable Energy Commission held a regular meeting Thursday, November 15, 2012 in shared meeting room 3 of the Municipal Center located at 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT 06470.
The meeting was called to order by chairman, Kathy Quinn at 7:00 pm.
Present: Chairman, Kathy Quinn, Fred Hurley, Charlie Copp, Mark Sievel, Joseph Borst, Barbara Toomey, Desiree Galassi
Absent: Dan Holmes, James Gulalo, Sarah Hemingway
Communications:
Ms. Quinn shared an article with the commission from The News Times that ran on November 5, 2012. The article talked about building green roofs.
Ms. Quinn spoke with Molly Smith who will be opening a fitness business in Plaza South. She is looking to have 25 exercise bikes in her facility that will produce energy while they are being used. The bikes are expensive and Ms. Smith was looking to the commission for guidance in obtaining grants for the bikes. Ms. Toomey agreed to assist in the grant search.
Acceptance of Minutes:
Mr. Borst made a motion to accept the minutes of the October 18, 2012 meeting minutes with one correction, to clarify that Dave Stout works for an engineering firm that works with ESCOs. Mr. Sievel seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Old Business:
HES Program
Ms. Quinn met with Vivian Perez from Handyman Express Solutions to discuss the home energy audits for the income eligible residents. Ms. Quinn also spoke with Ann Piccini from Social Services to get the word out about the Home Energy Solutions program.
Solar Panels PPA
Gino Faiella , Director of Facilities for the Board of Education, is working with the contractors on the Solar Panel PPA. Mr. Hurley reported there have been some delays in getting the project started at the state level but that the project is continuing to move along.
On November 27, Mr. Hurley will be attending a program about the small ZREC program in Berlin at CL&P.
Mr. Faiella attended a program on putting solar in schools and reported to Mr. Hurley that Newtown is already ahead of many of the towns that attended the program.
Water Treatment Plant
Mr. Hurley reported that the internet hookup is still not operational but the solar is generating power. The contractor is working on troubleshooting the issue.
Solarize CT Program
Ms. Quinn informed the commission that the second phase of Solarize Connecticut has been announced with applications due on December 21. Ms. Quinn will work with members of the commission to review the previously approved applications to edit Newtown’s application and submit it for the second phase.
Transition Movement
Ms. Toomey is showing Growth Busters on November 18th at 3 pm at the library. Ms. Toomey told the commission that she had advertised the film on the Transition Movement Facebook page, in the Newtown Bee, and she was also planning on putting posters up in a variety of places around Newtown such as Edmond Town Hall and some grocery stores.
Ms. Toomey is not planning on showing a film in December.
Ms. Toomey suggested that commission start the process of creating a Climate Adaption and Mitigation plan.
Go Green Website
No update.
Energy Star Portfolio Manager
No update.
ESCO
Ms. Quinn reported to the commission that the presentation is still in the works. Ms. Quinn is planning to continue work on the presentation after Thanksgiving along with Mr. Copp and Mr. Sievel and a couple members from the Building & Site Commission.
Plan of Conservation and Development
No update.
Municipal Energy Management Plan
No update.
Brownfields
The Bachelder property has the potential to be the site of a microgrid. The EPA has agreed to remove the remaining aluminum dross from the property. Mr. Hurely infored the commission that the contractor removing the dross believes there is enough iron and steel on the property to have someone remove the material for the cost of the metal.
A solar farm is a possibility for the property or having the bike trail continue through the property once it has been cleaned up.
New Business
No New Business this month.
Adjournment:
Mr. Borst made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 pm. The motion was seconded by Ms. Galassi. The motion was carried unanimously.
The next regular meeting will occur on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Newtown Municipal Center in Shared Meeting Room 3.
Submitted, Jessica Smith, clerk.
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