ENFIELD ENERGY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES of 2/24/2009 -Approved-

 

MISSION STATEMENT: To identify energy savings for the town and energy savings opportunities for the community
CURRENT GOAL: Our goal is a 10% reduction in total energy consumption by the Town by the end of 2009 with incremental decreases thereafter, toward a three year goal of 25 % reduction in total consumption by the Town (relative to the 2007 baseline data) by the end of the fiscal year 2011.

 

DATE/TIME: February 24, 2009 5:00 PM

 

LOCATION: Whitney Hall Conference Room

 

I.  Call to order 5:10 PM
Attendance: Present, Alisa Bonette (Administrative Staff), Steve Goldsmith (Chair person), Richard Lammert, Carol Lammert.   Absent, Charles DePuy. Wendell Smith, John Burritt (alternate), Bo Petersson (alternate)
Guests: Kim Quirk, David Stewart, Kurt Gottardt

 

II.  Approval of minutes for 1/27/2009 meeting
Approved with revisions as submitted by two committee members.

 

III.  Old Business
 - The Amazing Fantastic EEC Light Bulb Display Board built by John Burritt

 

The committee was most impressed with the final production of the board!  It has a circuit breaker panel, a 120 volt cord that feeds two breakers - one for all of the switches and one for the two duplex outlets and a Kill - A - Watt meter. There was considerable cost and labor invested in the project (materials alone were greater than $200.00, estimated total value is $800.00) donated by John Burritt.  A 100 watt incandescent bulb and various wattage CFL bulbs were provided with protective carrying cases.  John Burritt, Steve Goldsmith, and Kim Quirk also donated numerous CFL bulbs.  It was agreed that there should be signage to indicate that the board was built and donated by Burritt Building.  Steve will consult with John on his concepts on labeling.  A labeler is available in the town office.  The board will be displayed at Town Meeting for citizens to compare types, wastage and varieties of CFL bulbs on the market.   Steve will provide a light meter for hands-on evaluation of light emitted at lesser wattage use. The board may also be on display at Town Hall and possibly be circulated to various town businesses that sell light bulbs as an educational tool for citizens.  Kim offered examples of educational data to be included such as web site references (including the Energy Committee’s web site http://energy.enfield.nh.us), Enfield’s policy on disposal of mercury containing products (intact CFL bulbs at the Transfer Station), safe practices for clean up if a bulb were broken, etc. and her account of energy usage and financial savings after changing from incandescent to CFL bulbs in her home.  She will provide this information.  It will be available for viewing using John’s cork board. Copies will be available as hand outs, if requested, to facilitate education of individuals without access to computer references.  Concern was expressed that when the board is on display that there may be a need for protective “cages” over the bulbs to prevent breakage.  Rich will work with securing the bulb board and the cork board for the Town Meeting.  As well, the committee agreed that when it is on display someone should be responsible for maintaining the board.  In written communication John suggested that it may be necessary to provide a use and care guide if the bulb board is displayed at various places.

 

 - Discussion on the Solid Waste Reduction Program warrant article and narrative 
The final version of the warrant article was presented.  It reads as follows:

 

 “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum fo six thousand dollars($6000) to fund a SOLID WASTE REDUCTION PROGRAM.  Program will begin on a date determined by the Selectboard.

 

 The purpose of this article is to encourage recycling, thus reducing g solid waste disposal costs.  The program is intended to be self-funding after the first year.  The program would provide each household a voucher for 104 disposal bags per year for curbside pickup or transfer station disposal.  This equates to an average of 2 bags per week per household, but does not limit how many bags may be utilized at any given time.  Additional bags would be purchased at the Town Offices and/or other designated locations for an amount to be determined by the Selectboard.  This article covers the cost of disposal bags and the mailing of vouchers.  The tax impact will be reduced by additional bag sales, reduction of tipping fees and revenues for the sale of recycled items.”

 

Committee members voiced concerns with the logistics of the endeavor.  John’s written comments were taken into consideration regarding no allowance for size of family/household.  He noted that even with limited use of disposables, recycling and composting it was difficult for his family  to limit the volume to consistently no more than 2 bags of refuse per week.  He questioned  if the limitation to two bags would result in burning, dumping or other practices particularly in light of the current economic state.  Alisa spoke to practices in her community when curbside pickup of refuse/recyclables on alternate weeks; there was no noticeable increase in dumping.  She also commented that a study in the north east did not show increase in noncompliance with recycling programs.  The final plan of providing bags versus stickers was a concern re: distribution of bags (storage, dispensing).  Rich voiced that there were numerous valid concerns.  It is his feeling that the presentation of the warrant article would stimulate thought and discussion on waste reduction/recycling. Alisa mentioned that this spring the town will again offer kitchen compost pails and compost bins made of recycled plastic for a nominal fee. Carol made a motion that the Committee offers its support to the intent of the warrant article to reduce solid waste and that the Committee encourages reducing, reusing, recycling, composting and conservation.  It was seconded by Steve. The committee agreed that  logistics of the program need to be further developed. The vote was unanimous in support of the motion. Dave Stewart voiced appreciation of the committee’s support of the intent of the warrant article.  He noted that he has received numerous comments on the method of implementation.  Discussion of the issue of solid waste disposal is needed.  He sited the reported the estimated cost of enlargement of the Lebanon receiving location (where the Enfield refuse, minus recyclables, is deposited).

 

 - Update on http://energy,enfield.nh.us

 

Members had very positive comments regarding the excellent information and attractive presentation that Steve has developed.  Everyone was in agreement that the web site was ready to “go public”.  Alisa will include it in the “What’s New” section of the town’s web site http://www.enfield.nh.us/.
 - Instructions for accessible materials at the Town Library (Kill-A-Watt meter and smart outlet strip)

 

Steve will confer with John.  This information should be available prior to Town Meeting.

 

  - EEC Presence at Town Meeting, March 14, 2009

 

Set up of the display table can be done on Friday afternoon.  Alisa said that she would obtain help in moving items to the school (boards, easel, table).  Rich and Carol offered to help with set up.  Additionally, Wendell was volunteered to help.  Alisa said that work should begin at 4 PM.

 

The table should be attended staring at 8:30 AM and during any breaks and periods of balloting when attendees may be walking about during the meeting on Saturday.  As previously noted, Rich and Bo had volunteered to intermittently attend to the table.  As well, Carol will assist.  As noted above various educational displays and literature will be provided.  (It was noted that materials at the Energy Table are to be neutral regarding warrant articles.)

 

Steve may be able to be present to formally address the work of the committee as a presentation during the meeting.

 

How to offer CFL bulbs was discussed at length.  Carol will call Enfield businesses to learn where they are sold.  It may be possible to encourage use of CFL bulbs that they may be offered at cost.  Carol will confer with Kim on how to word this.  Bulbs will be available at Kim’s business, Enfield Energy Emporium which will be opening April 11 at 60 Main Street.  It was noted that the committee wished to be fair to all Enfield businesses.   When more data  is available Carol and Kim will work on how to provide information and bulb coupons to the public.  Assisting residents to convert to CFL’s from incandescent lighting is a major way that the energy committee can fulfill it’s commitment to decrease energy costs and usage.

 

 - Idling Awareness and update on HB 303

 

In communication with the DES it was learned House Bill 303 will be presented in March that could change the No Idling regulation Env - A 1100 (available at http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/air/tsb/tps/msp/irc/index.htm (look under the Rules/Regulatory category).  It could modified to law
(see HB 303 - http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2009/HB0303.html ).  A concern is that it carried no penalties.

 

Signage of No Idling within the town was presented again.  To defray costs of posting signage, which was estimated to be approximately $400.00, it was suggested that businesses might be solicited for donations.  Considering that a law might go into effect next year it was suggested that laminated copies might posted.  Three sites for signage on town property, the Transfer Station, Town Hall, and Huse Park were suggested.  Schools, drive throughs (ATM’s, restaurants) the Post Office  and a couple of businesses were noted to be locations of frequent idling.  Alisa will discuss signage with Steve Schneider.

 

Carol has placed an order with the DES for several copies of No Idling educational cards/sheets for distribution at the committee’s table for Town Meeting.  There was concern that the material be available in time for the meeting.

 

 - Update on energy related projects around town
John’s e-mail report contained information on the 2 - day Better Buildings by Design Conference that he attended in early February.  Content presented included residential and commercial building envelopes, electrical and mechanical systems and renewable energy systems (wind, photo voltaics, geo- and solar- thermal).  He was impressed with the movement toward building more energy efficient buildings.

 

-Town Energy Audit/Baseline consumption and impact/emissions data
deferred

 

Alisa will check on the progress of changing out the lights at the town garage building.

 

-Streetlight project update

 

Kurt Gottardt was present and volunteered to consolidate information that the energy committee members have collected.  Steve mentioned that more than half of the street lights observed had no definable purpose in the preliminary study.  The opinions expressed are those of the individual observers.  John’s comments  were shared re: his conversations with community members who have supported removal of lights while others have voiced resistance.  In his personal critique consideration was not given to recreational uses or a child’s travel at dusk.  Input from the community is desired though when a light is desired for individual rather than the good of the community the individual should consider paying for it.  Locations of light trespass was noted in violation of  town guidelines and Nationalgrid’s policies.  When lights serve as beacons use of reflectors rather than energy consuming lights was advocated.  The amount of money spent by the town on bulb replacement is an unclear.  Alisa will track this information and report to the committee.  As well, the cost for removal of a  light is needed to present comprehensive information on the town’s expenditure on streetlights and potential money saving  modifications.  Kurt presented additional information that he has collected.  There are 17 intersections that are not lit, there are 37 roads without lights, and there are now  flood lights in the town ( assumed to be 4000 watt lights).  Bright lights are at Shedd Street illuminating a building (use undetermined), Huse Park, the Fire Station, Shaker Bridge and 4 A intersection, and a new bright light at Shaker Hill Road and Crystal Lake Road.  The process for installation of the brighter light  is unknown.  The annual cost for these bright lights is between $300 - 400.  In light of the Town budget there is concern for the amount of money spent on lighting.  Carol will work on writing a fact sheet on street lighting with Steve offering review as educational material for the committee’s table at Town Meeting.

 

VI.  New Business

 

 none

 

V.  Other

 

 Next meeting is set for March 24 at Whitney Hall Conference Room at 5:00 PM

 

VI.  Adjournment

 

 The meeting wad adjourned at 7:25 PM

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Carol Lammert, Secretary
2/28/2009;  revised 3/11/’09, 3/26/’09