Town of Wethersfield
Clean Energy Committee
MINUTES (Approved)
February 13, 2008
Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center, Wethersfield, CT

In attendance: Michael DiCioccio, Ginny Judson, Chris Novak and Judy Parker. Absent: Joe Hickey. Also in attendance: Christopher Shepard.

Ginny called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m.

  1. Minutes of December 12, 2007, and January 9, 2008, meetings tabled.
  2. Public comments: None.
  3. Ginny and Christopher reported on the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's site assessment of potential PV array installation sites held February 11. Bob Wall from the Fund and Bob Wassung from Aztec Engineering presented background information, and Bob Wassung joined Town Engineer Mike Turner to visit the Wethersfield High School, Silas Deane Middle School, Town Hall, Pitkin Community Center and Wethersfield Police Station. Their report is anticipated by the next committee meeting.
  4. Connecticut Clean Energy Options Program: Still have 168.5 sign-ups. Michael volunteered to draft an announcement promoting sign-ups to post on Wethersfield Community Television. Chris volunteered to draft a press release focused on how we've qualified for one free PV array and are more than half way to qualifying for a second.
  5. Community Innovations Grants: Christopher received the Interfaith Coalition's final report.
  6. Environmental Summit: Ginny reported the event has been moved to Thursday, March 13, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Pitkin Community Center. She and Christopher will work with the organizers to provide general background information about the committee's work to participants.
  7. Clean Energy Purchase: Ginny will follow up with Mark from Community Energy to request a draft contract to present to the Town Council as soon as possible.
  8. New Business: Christopher forwarded the Town Manager's request to consider becoming a larger committee and taking on a larger role as an Energy Conservation Commission. Discussion highlighted the preference to accomplish more of the current objectives first and the need to determine whether there are enough people with the requisite expertise available to serve on such a committee.
  9. Other Announcements: The Interfaith Green Committee made a presentation at the last Town Council meeting encouraging the Town to implement a number of initiatives to make Wethersfield a "greener" community, e.g. reduce peak electricity use, install smart electricity meters, conduct energy audits on buildings, encourage bicycling, plant more trees, etc.

Judy moved to adjourn. Michael seconded. Approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Next meeting: March 12, 2008, 4:15 p.m., at the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center.

Respectfully submitted,

Christopher Shepard