December 17, 2015 Meeting Minutes

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Meeting date: 
Thursday, December 17, 2015

DRAFT - Meeting Minutes

12/17/15

6:08 pm

120 Washington Street, 3rd Floor

Attendees:  John Hayes, Jeff Cohen, Cindy Keegan, Craig Thomas, Jeff Elie, Jeff BarzSnell, Rick Nye

Absent:  

Public in Attendance: Tom Gale (Salem resident), Paul Gromer (Peregrine Energy), John Shortsleeve (Bay State Consultants)

Meeting Minutes approval/review:

  • Only draft September 2015 are posted on website.  Final needs to be submitted (if approved in October).
  • October draft meeting minutes reviewed and approved with modifications. (motioned by Jeff Cohen, seconded by Craig Thomas, unanimously approved)
  • November 2015 meeting was cancelled.

Introduction – quick update on projects from Energy Manager

  • LED Streetlights Project is almost halfway done.  (1479 lights installed).  Only 1 or 2 complaints so far.  Shields have been quickly provided when requested.
  • Solar: Tighe & Bond has done half the work for the structural review for high school and Bentley.  Will do site visit on Monday 12/28/15.  Net metering cap is in limbo at state level and this is having chilling effect on projects- awaiting further clarity. 
  • Green Infrastructure Climate Change Resiliency Project grant with Salem Sound Coastwatch.  They are selecting 10 sites, then will narrow down to 3 that will moved forward as a pilot for “green engineering” projects for resiliency.

General Discussion

  • New Member Discussion – The RETF needs several new members so the Committee will brainstorm potential new members.

Kathy Karch is believed to have submitted a letter of interest.

Tom Gale has expressed interest.

  • ASU Coastal Resiliency Planning Workshop – Member Craig Thomas is teaching an online class at Arizona State University on coastal resiliency planning which focuses on Salem. He will be sharing his syllabus for the class and querying the Task Force for help with the class. Senior BS students, so we could use this as potential opportunity for reviews – update emergency & disaster planning or general resiliency plan.  Requested to allow interviews of dept. heads and RETF to be available for interviews.  Consider info session- from RETF.

NEW BUSINESS- NOT ON AGENDA

  • Re-stated need to discuss with Mayor the RETF changing format to City Committee vs. Mayor’s Committee – with renewable term limits and our own bylaws.
  • Agreed on need to promote prominently on website and elsewhere efforts and accomplishments (and their savings).  Jeff Elie to provide table of activities and RETF members will draft for website/external communication.
  • Discussed topics for January meeting.  Goal setting, updating website, and possible solar ordinance updating.
  • Suggested to Post Youtube link about Bentley school on RETF website
  • Community Energy Aggregation Update:

Paul Gromer (Peregrine Energy); John Shortsleeve (Bay State Consultants):

 

Suggestions for further communications to the public:

  • For folks on other contracts – what to do:
  • If normal program: what to do
  • Add average cost per month total to the option chart

Investigate potential for buying SRECs from local sources that the program could offer.

Invite back to February meeting- to review #s of enrolled, and discuss further communication efforts.

Action Items (new):

  • Cindy Keegan to send out draft 12/17-15 meeting minutes to all.
  • Jeff Elie to post final Sept & Oct meeting minutes, and draft Dec minutes.
  • Jeff Elie to provide table of activities to RETF members for draft for website/external communication.
  • Jeff Elie to post Youtube link about Bentley school on RETF website
  •  
  • RETF members to review table of activities and draft website/external communication.

Action Items (outstanding):

  • Cindy Keegan to request meeting/call regarding “reset” button for committee (not the same protocols, limits.& new name: Sustainability & Resilency).

Action Items (completed):

Future Meetings

  • Next meeting will be held on January 21st, 2015 at 7pm.
  • Proposed Topics to prepare for:
    • Website
    • Goals/New Year Planning
      • Exhibit at PEM
      • Wind
    • Solar ordinance updating

Adjournment: 7:40pm

Know Your Rights Under the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 39 §23B, and

City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033