HomeMy Public PortalAbout08-10-2010 Economic Development Report - Green Communities ActCommittee on Economic Development and Planning
August 10, 2010
Minutes
The Committee on Economic Development and Planning met on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 4:OOPM in
the Council Office. Present were Councilors Corbett, Chair, Falkoff, Secretary, and Palomba, and Steve
Magoon and Danielle Fillis from the Planning Department.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the status of the town's efforts to qualify as a 'Green
Community' under the Green Community Act.
Mr. Magoon provided the Committee with some background on the issue and the status of our efforts
to meet the various criteria. The Committee on Environment and Energy Efficiency has been taking the
lead on this issue, with considerable support from the Planning and Purchasing Departments. Being
designated as a Green Community would open up opportunities to seek various grants for energy
related projects. It is unclear at this time how much money will be available, when, and for what
purpose. The first round of communities qualifying under the act took place last spring when 35
communities were so designated.
There are 5 criteria that would need to be met to be designated a 'Green Community.'
1. Siting. The zoning ordinance must allow for as -of -right development of projects related to
the generating, R&D, or manufacturing of renewable and alternative energy. This Proposal
has already been before the Council and has been referred to the Planning Board for a
public hearing and vote.
2. Expedited permitting. This would be with respect to project proposals noted above. The
Town has already adopted policies that comply with this requirement.
3. Baseline Inventory. A comprehensive inventory of energy consumption for all town owned
buildings, facilities, and assets must be developed. It is anticipated that this task will be one
of the first charges assigned to the ESCO consultant, who is expected to be on board in the
near future.
4. Fuel Efficient Vehicles. The Town would have to commit to acquiring fuel efficient vehicles
whenever feasible. This practice has been followed by the town for several years.
5. Stretch Code. The Town would have to adopt the Stretch Energy Code, which is an appendix
to the State Building Code and would require that all new building meet much more
stringent energy conservation standards. The details of this issue and the impact it would
have on the Town needs to be thoroughly investigated.
The Committee agreed to meet again as further developments occur.
Respectfully Submitted,
Stephen Corbett