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

WETHERSFIELD CITIZENS ENERGY COMMITTEE
MINUTES - TUESDAY JULY 1, 2008

Mayor Adil called meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. at the Pitkin Community Center, Room S1

Members present were:

Rick Baldoni

Mary Dobruck

Carol Jones

Tom Kennedy

Nancy Kiely

Keith Saunders

Member absent:

Carollyne Weidler

Also present were:

Matthew Forrest, Town Council Liaison

Bonnie Therrien, Town Manager

Mike Turner, Director of Public Works

Bruce Bockstael, Resident

Dolores Sassano, Town Clerk was present and swore in all the members.

1. Managers Comments:

   Mayor thanked all the members for agreeing to serve on the Committee. Since everyone in the room did not know each other Bonnie had everyone in the room identify themselves and briefly describe their background and why their interest in this committee. Mr. Bockstael, who is an interested resident and works at CT DPW, offered his assistance as a resource to the committee regarding sustainable design, LEEDS and the CT Green Building Council.

   Bonnie noted that the staff liaison for this committee will be Heather Vargas; however she could not make this meeting. She will do agendas, take minutes, and gather info.

   The charge in general of this committee is "to study and make recommendations to the Town Council concerning matters of energy, conservation and other matters as the Town Manager or Town Council shall direct". She suggested their first task is to review the proposals from the two energy consultants who responded to an RFP by the town, and make recommendations to the town to hire one of them or rebid.

2. Council Liaison Comments:

   Councilor Forrest commented on the success of the Green Summit. He is looking forward for the committee to offer Town Council guidance on energy conservation, budget impacts, and setting us up for the future. He commented if we can save $100,000 in energy, that's money available for other uses.

3. General Discussion

   Bonnie suggested another task of the committee will be to review the results of the Green Summit goals assigned to the CEC. Council wants an update on progress in 6 months.

   Councilor Forrest suggested incorporating items from the Interfaith Study group where appropriate. He also suggested a dialogue be open with the BOE considering their upcoming building renovation project.

   It was recommended this group work closely with the Energy Improvement District Committee (Mayor Adil still has to appoint), and the Clean Energy Committee (Virginia Judson).

   There was discussion about assisting and advising Council on CIP and CNEF planning.

   Staff will assemble and distribute the following information to the CEC:

   • CEC Contact list
   • RFP for Energy Consultant
   • Responses from 2 firms for Energy Consultant (some copies distributed at meeting)
   • CIP and CNEF budgets
   • Energy Improvement District presentation to Council
   • Building energy usage
   • CLP and CNG rates
4. Agenda topics for next meeting
   • Public Comment session
   • Interview Energy Consultants
   • Green Summit Committee items
5. Next Meeting /set regular meeting dates

   For now, the Committee will meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.

   Tentative date interviews will be a special meeting July 30, 2008

   Next meeting is July 9, 2008 at 6 pm. Staff will confirm a regular room

6. Adjournment

   Motion was made by Carol Jones, seconded by Mary Dobruck to adjourn the meeting at 6:33 pm. All voted in favor.