Town of Newtown, CT 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT
THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COMMISSION
2-20-2014
The Sustainable Energy Commission held a regular meeting Thursday, February 20, 2014 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 7:02 pm.
Present: Chairman, Kathy Quinn, Mark Sievel, Fred Hurley, Charlie Copp, Joseph Borst, Desiree Galassi, Barbara Toomey, Beth Young
Absent: James Gulalo
Communications:
Ms. Quinn had a letter from the Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP) thanking the Sustainable Energy Commission for their contribution towards the lights for the holiday trees.
Public Comments:
None
Acceptance of Minutes:
Mr. Borst made a motion to accept the minutes of the January 16, 2014 meeting minutes with as presented. Mr. Sievel seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
Old Business:
HES Program
Ms. Quinn emailed the Commission information about a ductless mini split from Next Step Living. Next Step Living is one of the vendors in the HES program. Next Step Living has offered to assist the Commission in promoting the HES program. They would like to work with the Commission to develop a campaign to promote the program by holding workshops, sending out letters, and canvassing homes.
One product offered by Next Step Living is ductless mini splits which are supplemental to the home’s current oil heat system. The ductless mini spilt heats and cools air in the rooms it is installed in. Advisors from Next Step Living can provide individual estimates to homeowners that are interested in this product.
Solarize CT
There are 23 orders that have been signed and there have been 280 requests so far. The program started out at tier 3 pricing. There are still 20 – 25 assessments that still need to be completed with close to 100 leads that need to be followed up on as well. The program ends on February 28, 2014 and all contracts need to be signed by then to take advantage of tiered pricing. Ms. Quinn feels the program will reach tier 5 pricing by February 28.
The state is also looking at the possibility of installing solar power in residential complexes such as condominiums or apartments.
Next Solar Projects
Animal Shelter & Maintenance Garage
Two proposals are currently being considered for the animal shelter and the maintenance garage, they are proposed PPAs (power purchase agreements) for the small z-rec program. The estimated cost per kilowatt is five and a half cents. The application needs to be completed by February 28, 2014. There is a lottery system to determine which application is chosen.
Mr. Borst made a motion to recommend that the proposal for the animal shelter and the proposal for the maintenance garage be moved forward to the next step. The motion was seconded by Ms. Galassi and passed unanimously.
Reed School
Mr. Hurley reported that a solution to tie the two systems together has been found. A panel has been put in to tie the two systems together.
Also, two RFPs have gone out for the large z-rec program, one for the Reed School and the other for the Transfer Station.
Brownfields
The Batchhelder project has been put on hold until the demolition of the site has been completed.
Energy Savings Performance Contract – IGA Status
Microgrid
The Hawley School has been looked at for being the possible site of microgrid but at this time it doesn’t look like it will work according to Ameresco. The new Sandy Hook School is also another possibility for being the site of a microgrid. More information will be available after a meeting on February 28, 2014 with Yankee Gas.
IGA
Ameresco is in the process of looking at options and the town has asked Ameresco to make sure that some measures have the full final costs. There is the option of negotiating costs with both Ameresco and Celtic. The payback will more than likely be less than 15 years. Progress is being made and LED lights are being looked at.
Transition Movement
There is an Earth Day meeting on February 21, 2014.
The commission feels like their booth should feature the accomplishments of the commission. Earth Day is on April 26, 2014.
Municipal Energy Plan
The goal of the Municipal Energy Plan is to reduce energy cost by 20% by 2018 from a baseline period chosen by the Commission. The IGA will help move the town towards this goal. In addition the source of all of electric needs to be from at least 20% from clean energy, the solar systems on the Reed School and landfill will bring the town close to 20% from clean energy.
Budgets / Grants
A possibility is to use some funds for a consultant for the microgrid.
Reed School 5 kw System
The 10 kilowatt system is now up and running.
Adjournment:
Mr. Borst made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 pm. The motion was seconded by Ms. Toomey. The motion was carried unanimously.
The next regular meeting will occur on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:00 pm at the Newtown Municipal Center in Shared Meeting Room 3.
Submitted, Jessica Smith, clerk.
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