HomeMy Public PortalAbout09-28-2010 EDP report - Stretch Energy CodeMEETING MINUTES
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and PLANNING
September 28, 2010
Attending were: Planning and Economic Development Committee members Steven
Corbett, Chair, John Donohue, and Susan Falkoff; Steven Magoon, Director of
Community Planning and Development, Raeleen Parsons, Town Purchasing Agent, and
the following member of the town's Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee:
Peter Brooks, James Haber, William Kahn.
The meeting was called to order at 5:20 PM. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss
modifying the town's Building code to accept the "stretch code," a set of regulations that
set higher standards of energy efficiency for any new development in the town. The chair
took note of the Briefing Paper that the Energy committee had prepared for this
subcommittee. Councilor Corbett stated that he had been educating himself on the
implications of the code and contacted other communities. He read a list of pros and
cons he had compiled. He said that energy conservation is a good thing but he has
concerns about how much this will cost property owners to implement. One problem is
that, although over 40 cities and towns have adopted the code, it is so new that nothing
has been approved under these rules at the time. Councilor Donohue also expressed
concern about the cost to homeowners, which could make home renovations out of reach.
Mr. Magoon reminded the committee that passing the Stretch code is a requirement for
the town to become a "green community," a designation that would make Watertown
eligible for $100,000 — 150,000 in state grant money for conservation projects.
Watertown needs to make a decision on the stretch code by November 19 and passage
will require a public Hearing with two weeks notice.
The committee voted to meet again to gather more information. The committee is
prepared to bring the matter to the Council for consideration within the time frame
needed to apply to be a Green Community but not to make a recommendation for or
against before holding another subcommittee meeting and having discussions with the
town's building inspector and state officials who are working with the stretch code.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Falkoff, Secretary