[NOTE: These minutes are made available to the public prior to Clean Energy Committee acceptance.]

Town of Wethersfield
Clean Energy Committee
MINUTES (Draft)
May 14, 2008
156 Prospect Street, Wethersfield, CT

Present: Joseph Hickey, Virginia Judson, Chris Novak and Judy Parker. Also present: Christopher Shepard. Absent: Michael DiCioccio

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

  1. April 9, 2008, meeting minutes: Joe moved to approve the minutes as presented. Judy seconded. Approved unanimously.
  2. Public comments: None.

Chris Novak arrived at 4:25p.m.

  1. Conservation strategies
    1. Bill Leahy's benchmark analysis for schools: Christopher shared Bill's email, describing his work with Fred Bushey, the board of education facilities director. Christopher will ask Fred to report at an upcoming committee meeting on his use of the benchmark analysis and the electricity efficiency objectives of the schools renovation building committee.
    2. Bill Leahy's benchmark analysis for other municipal buildings: Christopher shared Bill's email describing how he needs demographic data on buildings the committee wants evaluated. Christopher will forward the data forms to Mike Turner, Town Engineer, and confirm with Mike and Bill the anticipated date of completion.
    3. Historical electricity use data for schools: Christopher reported the Board of Education provided usage and billing data for twelve months and confirmed its contract with Constellation Energy expires December 2009. He will provide the data for the next meeting
    4. Historical electricity use data for other municipal buildings: Christopher reported the finance department could provide total billing data but CL&P had to provide disaggregated usage and billing data for twelve months. He will provide the data at the next meeting and suggest to the Town Manager that building managers have better access to their usage data.
    5. New Items:
      • Joe recommended asking CL&P to conduct audits. Christopher will ask Mike Turner when that last was done.
      • Chris recommended participating in CL&P's Summer Savers Rewards program, if they're doing it again. Christopher will research.
  2. Purchasing/investing in clean energy
    1. Contract with Community Energy: Ginny reported the Town Council approved the contract May 5, 2008. Martin Walsh moved and Matthew Forrest seconded to approve the contract from June 1, 2008, to May 31, 2009. Christopher is working with the Town Manager to get it signed and paid.
    2. Budget for 2008-2009: Christopher will ask the Town Manager whether the budget approved May 12, 2008, has an amount dedicated for the committee.
    3. Earned photovoltaic array site assessment: Christopher presented the draft engineering report from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. Joe moved to endorse the report's recommendation of the Town Hall/Library site and to direct staff to seek the necessary staff and commission approval. Judy seconded. Approved unanimously.
    4. Sign ups for additional photovoltaic arrays: Ginny reported 164.5.
  3. Publicity/Outreach:
    1. Discussion of draft press releases: Christopher will review feed back and immediately disseminate the press release announcing the Town's receipt of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund award. Chris will revise the press release announcing the Town has earned a free 1 kWh photovoltaic array to include the committee's recommendation of the Town Hall/Library site and circulate for feedback. Christopher will draft a follow-up press release to announce the contract with Community Energy once signed and paid.

    Joe left at 5:30 p.m.

    1. Progress report on mini grants program: No inquiries to date.
    2. Discussion on draft Wethersfield specific CTCleanEnergyOptions sign-up form: Ginny reviewed the draft form presented at the last meeting. Members provided feedback and brainstormed possible dissemination tactics. Christopher will compile edits to recirculate. He also will ask about including in the tax bills, and Judy will research the prices of including in the Wethersfield Life as an advertisement or insert.
  4. Other
    1. Report from May 7 CT Clean Energy Fund stakeholder meeting: Ginny attended the meeting and shared an overview of its purpose. She will summarize and disseminate her notes for the next committee meeting.
    2. Judy forwarded a request from Cindy Jacobs, Wethersfield High School Parent-Teacher-Student club, for help with publicity for another compact fluorescent light bulb sale tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 18, 2008. The committee also could get sign-ups at the sale. Christopher offered to help with publicity, and Ginny requested clarification on whether the bulbs would be EnergyStar rated. Judy will contact Cindy.
    3. Ginny presented cost estimates for different potential scenarios of purchasing renewable energy credits or photovoltaic arrays provided by the CT Clean Energy Fund's Bob Wall. She will contact Bob to learn more about the costs and productivity of possible photovoltaic arrays and what additional incentives may be available from the Fund.

Chris moved to adjourn. Judy seconded. Approved unanimously. Adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Next meeting: Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center.

Respectfully submitted,

Christopher Shepard