2011 ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Co�rnt S si o P-,
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October 5, 2011
Energy Commission
Meeting Minutes
Attending: Roger Kupec, Jay Berger, Todd Bard, Debbie Dachos, Jill
Messick, Chris Golba, Guest: Jim Barry
Absent: Nick Urbinati, Joel Cummings, Howard Safford, Bob Rossi, Jiro
Cichetti -�
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Meeting was convened at 10:10 a.m. 4
�6Motion to accept minutes of 9/7/2011 made by Chris Golba, seconded by
Todd Bard, approved unanimously.
Jim Barry spoke about most recent revisions to Green Communities Act.
application:
-As of today, there are 74 Green Communities in the State.
-There is another round of grants coming up November 18th.
-There will be money to fund grants next spring.
-After that round, the program will most likely go to a schedule of funding
just once a year, in the spring.
-There will be another round for communities who have already finished
their projects, to get more money for further projects.
-Still funded by RGGI auctions.
-New building code in 2012, commercial and industrial code will incorporate
the current stretch code criteria.
-There will then be a new set of criteria that will become the stretch code.
-Clarified that a town could adopt the stretch code, and rescind it if the code
becomes too burdensome. The town would then be ineligible for grant
money.
Debbie asked if there is anyone having difficulty building, or complying with
the Stretch Code who has adopted it.
Jim replied that Building Inspectors grumbled in the beginning, but now that
they have been through a couple of projects, it's not as bad as they thought
it might be, and that yes, people are still building.
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Worcester adopted the Stretch Code, but set the start point for 18 months
out.
Jim mentioned WMECO, and their programs for energy savings. Pump
stations for compressed natural gas vehicles.
He also confirmed that there have been no waivers given for any of the
criteria, or the Stretch Code.
Debbie asked us to get other members involved.
General discussion of how to get Stretch Code passed, given new Council.
We can obtain 1st reports from some local Green Communities, to see
what hurdles they faced being a Green Community.
There was no public in attendance to speak. Meeting was adjourned at
11 :09 a.m.
Next regular meeting November 9 at 10:00 a.m.
Agawam Energy Commission
February 23, 2011
Page 1
AGAWAM ENERGY COMMISSION
Minutes
February 23,2011
Members Present:
Todd Bard
Jay Berger
James Cichetti
Joel Cummings y,
Deborah Dachos
Roger Kupec w *r
Jill Messick 3
Bob Rossi
Howard Safford
Chris Golba
Members Absent:
Nick Urbinati
Also Present:
Michael Day
Brian Markey, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
l. Call Meeting to Order—The meeting was called to order at 10:05 AM.
2. Roll Call—Nick Urbinati was the only Commission member absent. He sent
Michael Day to represent him. To date Nick has not officially designated Michael
as his alternate.
3. Acceptance of Minutes—There were no minutes for the December 15th meeting
since there was no quorum.
4. Brian Markey, PVPC—Grant and Energy Reduction Plan Update
Brian was in attendance to discuss the status of Agawam's Green Communities
Grant Application. He discussed each of the five Green Communities' criteria.
Criteria 1 and 2 are virtually complete. Attorney Gioscia only needs to complete
the forms. Debbie agreed to oversee this criteria and said it would be completed
by March I". Criteria 3 which involves the Baseline Energy Use and 20%
Reduction Plan is being coordinated with Roger Kupec. They will be using data
collected by Roger for the Energy Insight Program and the Energy Star program.
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Agawam Energy Commission
February 23, 2011
Page 2
Criteria 4,the Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy will be completed by Chris and
Debbie. Chris will prepare the inventory of Town-owned vehicles and Debbie
will request that the Mayor sign the purchasing policy statement. This task will
be completed by March 15'h. The Town will be requesting a waiver for Criteria 5,
the Stretch Code. To substantiate this request,the Town must demonstrate how
other municipal actions have resulted in the same goals as the Stretch Code.
Other actions discussed by Commission members included statistics indicating
reductions in energy use over the last 5 years,the purchase of hybrids,the Town's
policy on energy reduction, IT's implemented methods for reducing energy at the
schools and a possible solar farm. Members are to provide Brian with this
information, as well as other energy saving measures before March 15. The Plan
and Grant application will be submitted to the Town Council under new business
on April 18 and old business on May 2"d
5. Energy Commission Master Plan—Status
After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Chris and seconded by Bob to
remove the discussion of the Energy Master Plan from the agenda.
VOTE 10 - 0
A motion was made by Chris and seconded by Bob to substitute the Green
Communities Energy Reduction Plan for the Energy Master Plan.
VOTE 10—0
6. Mass Energy Insight— Status
Roger continued to report bugs in the Energy Insight system. Data on certain
buildings has been lost during updates. He also reported that updates only occur 2
to 3 times a year, so the information is not very current. Roger will continue to
use the Energy Star system. Roger also reported on the energy audit conducted
by the Department of Energy Resources. He indicated that the data compiled was
disappointing. He said that only lighting was inventoried and that for many of the
buildings improvements would not be cost effective. It was discussed that the
Town might want to contact private companies to conduct additional audits.
Todd was asked to provide advice on this.
7. Communication—Chair Resignation
Anthony through an e-mail notified the Commission of his pending resignation at
Superintendent of Public Works and hence, his resignation as Chair of the Energy
Commission.
8. Designation—Interim Chair
A motion was made by Bob and seconded by Jill to appoint Debbie as the interim
Chair of the Energy Commission.
Agawam Energy Commission
February 23, 2011
Page 3
VOTE 9—0— 1(Debbie)
9. By-Law Update and Revisions
Debbie indicated that she has not yet met with the Solicitor to discuss the
Commission's attendance policy. She will do this prior to the next meeting.
10. Open Discussion—Board Members Comments
Debbie informed the Commission that there is interest in developing a solar energy
park in Agawam. She has been contacted by a couple of companies. She informed
the Commission that after speaking with these companies, any concerns that she had
concerning impacts on abutter have been addressed. She will inform the Commission
members of the status of these proposals as soon as they can be made public.
11. Schedule Next Meeting/Adjournment
The next meeting will be held on March 9, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the DPW. A motion
was made by Todd and seconded by Joel to adjourn at 11:10 AM.
VOTE 10 - 0