In attendance: Cindy Jacobs, Ginny Judson, and Judy Parker. Also in attendance: Christopher Shepard. Absent: Will Holden and Paul Lombardo.
Ginny called the meeting to order at 5:25 p.m.
Judy moved to accept the November 30, 2006, meeting minutes as presented. Ginny seconded. Approved 2-yea and 1-abstain.
Christopher will disseminate updated list to committee members.
Cindy moved to adopt the following 2007 meeting schedule: February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, September 12, October 10, November 14, and December 12 from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. at the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center, 156 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Judy seconded. Approved unanimously.
None.
Cindy reported that Mo McCarthy is working on providing data to Bill Leahy for the schools' benchmark analysis. She'll research whether the EPA or others can help conduct a similar benchmark analysis for other municipal buildings.
Cindy forwarded information to Mike Turner about a municipal energy management seminar on January 18.
Ginny reported that the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board's draft 2007 energy plan is available at www.ctenergy.org for public comment through January 22. She'll share it with the Town Manager for the Town Council to consider commenting on items related to municipalities.
Cindy led a brainstorming of possible energy efficiency actions to be considered at a later time.
Cindy moved to recommend to the Town Manager that any refunds the Town receives from CL&P for street light charges be set aside for clean energy purchases and/or energy efficiency projects the Committee might recommend in the future. Judy seconded. Approved unanimously.
Ginny reported there were 102.5 sign ups as of January 8, qualifying the Town to receive its first solar panel. Christopher will research the next steps in the siting and installation process, including banking clean energy credits until the time of installation.
Christopher reported solar panels alone won't fulfill the 20% by 2010 pledge. He'll research possible goals for an appropriate number of panels based on available sites or reasonable number of sign ups based on comparable towns' experiences. Judy reported on some of Portland's efforts to encourage sign ups. Ginny led a discussion of when to begin the grants program.
Ginny reported on the options available to municipalities through Sterling Planet and Community Energy and will share the information with the Town Manager for long range budgeting. She'll continue to research additional options.
Ginny reported the Wethersfield Life wants to report on the 100 sign ups milestone in its February issue, so she'll provide information about how additional residents may sign up and the early work of the committee.
None
Judy moved to adjourn. Cindy seconded. Approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Shepard