Town of Wethersfield
Clean Energy Committee
MINUTES (Approved)
July 11, 2007
Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center, Wethersfield, CT

In attendance: Michael DiCiccio, Cindy Jacobs, Ginny Judson, and Judy Parker. Also in attendance: Drew McConville and Christopher Shepard. Absent: Joe Hickey.

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

1. Minutes: Motion to approve Minutes of March 14, April 11, May 9, and May 23, 2007, meetings. Judy moved; Cindy seconded. Approved unanimously. Minutes of June 20, 2007, meeting tabled.
2. Public comments: Ginny welcomed Michael DiCiccio to the Committee, and Michael introduced his interests and prior experience with clean energy issues.

   Drew McConville described SmartPower's programs and offered his assistance.

3. Energy Conservation Strategies: Christopher confirmed CL&P can provide a twelve month history of electricity bills and is working with staff at Town Hall to compile the needed list of electrical accounts.

   Cindy reported that Bill Leahy will perform a follow-up review of Board of Education buildings that scored poorly in the benchmark analysis. He's coordinating schedules with Board of Education staff. She also reported that Mike Turner agreed to a similar benchmark analysis of Town buildings. Bill will contact him to schedule it.

   CL&P announced a "Summer Saver" program. Cindy will confirm whether the discount would apply to the Town's type of account, too. Motion to recommend to the Town Manager that the Town participate in CL&P's "Summer Saver Program for Reduction in Summer Use of Electricity" by encouraging all staff and building managers to reduce their use of electricity. Judy moved; Cindy seconded. Approved unanimously.

   Cindy followed up with additional information about the Board of Education's behavior modification program. It is a proprietary protocol conducted under contract with a consultant wherein the savings achieved are expected to exceed the expenses. The Board of Education contract cost $40,000 and in two years has saved approximately $110,000. Discussion followed with a general consensus to wait for the results of Bill's benchmarking analysis before recommending the Town employ a similar strategy.

4. Connecticut Clean Energy Options Program: Sign-ups have increased to 137.5.
5. Renewable Energy Earned: Christopher and Ginny will meet to follow-up with the Clean Energy Fund on scheduling a visit for assessing solar array installation sites.
6. Renewable Energy Purchased: Since the Town has not yet acted on purchasing electricity from some one other than CL&P, the Committee will make a recommendation regarding the options available to CL&P customers. Drew will help Ginny make arrangements for representatives of Sterling Planet and Community Energy to attend a Committee meeting as soon as possible to review their prices and incentives offered to municipalities through the Clean Communities program.
7. Community Innovations Grants Program: Ginny reported that the press release soliciting grant applications for the first round was distributed to the Wethersfield Life and Hartford Courant. Christopher will follow-up on the Town website and Manager's report and distribution of letters to community groups.
8. Publicity: Judy reported the article had appeared in the July issue of the Wethersfield Life.
9. Announcements: Ginny shared information about a Connecticut Clean Energy Fund stakeholders meeting on July 12 that she will attend.

   Ginny reported on the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities workshop held June 11.

   Cindy reported the Wethersfield High School's light bulb sale will be held September 20.

   Christopher announced the Nature Center's lecture series and exhibits will focus on clean energy issues this Fall. He will form an ad hoc committee to work on these projects this summer and welcomes Committee members' and the public's participation.

10. New Business: Michael led a discussion about the Town's potential role in promoting economic development related to the development and/or installation of clean energy technologies.

Motion to adjourn. Judy moved; Michael seconded. Approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Next meeting: Wednesday, August 15, 2007, 4:00 p.m., Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center.

Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Shepard