Town of Newtown, CT 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT
THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COMMISSION
6-20-2013
The Sustainable Energy Commission held a regular meeting Thursday, June 20, 2013 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 7:01 pm.
Present: Chairman, Kathy Quinn, Charlie Copp, Mark Sievel, Joseph Borst, Desiree Galassi, Dan Holmes, James Gulalo
Absent: Fred Hurley, Barbara Toomey
Communications:
Mr. Sievel brought up a letter and DVD he received in the mail in regards to the events of December 14 and questioned whether the other members received one as well. All the commission members names and addresses are listed on the town website and it is believed the sender of the letter and DVD retrieved the address from the website. All agreed it was junk mail and threw out the communication.
Acceptance of Minutes:
Mr. Gulalo made a motion to accept the minutes of the May 16, 2013 meeting minutes as presented. Mr. Sievel seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Old Business:
HES Program
Ms. Quinn announced that 129 units had home energy audits completed at Nunnawauk Meadows. 116 homes in Newtown have completed home energy with the selected vendors, Energy PRZ and Victory Energy Solutions.
Solar Panels PPA / Brownfields
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the solar panels at the Middle School will occur on July 11, 2013 at 11 am.
The EPA has removed the dross from the Batchhelder property. The buildings are still remaining and need to be removed for the property to be considered for a solar farm.
Solarize CT Program / CT Solar Challenge
Ms. Quinn received a communication from Gail Spence, Director of CT Solar Challenge, about participating in the CT Solar Challenge. Ms. Quinn is still gathering the details about this new program.
The next round for Solarize CT is approaching and the Commission is planning on submitting an application. There will be 4 to 8 applications accepted during this round and the application has been redesigned for this round. Part of the application is submitting a letter of support from the First Selectman and other organizations and businesses around town. The Commission discussed the possibility of being able to promote the program at the Farmer’s Market, outdoor concerts at Dickinson Park, and the Labor Day parade if Newtown is selected to participate.
The average savings is about $7,000 for each basic installation. The cost per installation decreases as more residents participate in the program. The cost can keep going down as more people sign up and each participant ends up paying the end cost. Participants can lease as well as buy the systems.
Resolution: Mr. Borst submitted a resolution that the Sustainable Energy Commission will submit an application for phase three of the Solarize CT Program. Mr. Sievel seconded the resolution which passed unanimously.
Transition Movement
Ms. Quinn stated they had a Transition Movement meeting recently and the programs are moving forward. The Victory Garden has also been planted.
Go Green Website / Twitter
Ms. Quinn stated that the town has an official Twitter account and Facebook page that are up and being updated consistently. The town Twitter feed and Facebook page may be a venue for promoting future events.
ESCO
The Legislative Council meeting was attended on June 19, 2013. Ms. Quinn stated the Council asked some good questions and the Council seemed inclined to support the project during the approval process. The next step will be to present the ESCO to the Board of Education. Building and Site will need to get more heavily involved as the approval process moves forward.
Municipal Energy Management Plan
Ms. Quinn handed out planning guides to the Commission and asked the members to start gathering ideas to include in the plan. This plan is needed to maintain the town’s Clean Energy Community status.
C-PACE
C-PACE is now in place for the town.
Grants / Budget
Ms. Quinn will be obtaining the budget to get an accounting of what funds remain and are available for use. One possibility for the remaining funds is to assist in purchasing LED holiday lights for displays around town.
Motion: Ms. Galassi made a motion to set aside funds, not to exceed $4,000, to purchase LED lights for town holiday trees. Mr. Borst seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
New Business
Mr. Holmes announced he is stepping down from his position on the Sustainable Energy Commission.
Adjournment:
Mr. Borst made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 pm. The motion was seconded by Ms. Galassi. The motion was carried unanimously.
The next regular meeting will occur on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the Newtown Municipal Center in Shared Meeting Room 3.
Submitted, Jessica Smith, clerk.
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