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HomeMy Public PortalAboutEnergy Committee -- 2011-06-30 Minutes MINUTES of the meeting of The BREWSTER ENERGY COMMITTEE Held Thursday,June 30th,2011 at 2:00 p.m. At the Brewster Town Office Building,2198 Main Street, Room A Present : Ed Swiniarski; Chris Powicki; William Porter; Richard Wolf; Jillian Douglass; Bob Bersin(DPW); Keith Gauley (Eddy School); Barry Schofield (Elementary Schools) Deane Keuch; Vicki Marchant (CLC); Everett Horn (Nat'l Grid) Planning with CLC & NGRID for Energy Conservation Projects DPW Facility— Mr. Wolf asked the CLC &NGRID reps if there are any incentives for geothermal. They responded that neither of them have incentives for Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs). Mr Powicki reported that under the Cool Smart Program, GSHPs have the highest incentives. Ms. Marchant said CLC would be happy to meet with the Town's engineers. Mr. Horn noted that NGRID has rebates or discounts on equipment of up to 50%, but their incentives are for heating only (no cooling). It was noted that the Committee is interested in using GSHPs for both heating & cooling Mr. Bersin noted that the A/C at the DPW is not functioning. Mr. Horn stated that if there is gas on Run Hill Rd.,NGRID would cover the cost for the first 400' and that the charge is $10/lft thereafter. The Town would need to decide whether they want rebates or discounts on equipment. Usually discounted equipment is a better deal. The Burnham 95% efficient boiler would get the highest discount. The existing system at the DPW is an oil burner that is pumped to the 2nd floor. The heat delivery is via forced hot water with fans over coils. It is one system with multiple zones. The A/C is via duct, but it is non-functional. The Office area that is conditioned in this manner is about 2,240 SF. However there are other considerations at this site; i.e.; the building has a positive pressure system to prevent methane gas intake. Mr. Wolf said he would like to consider GSHP for the A/C and heat in the office area replace the garage heating system with a supplemental gas boiler. He added that after the CVEC solar panels are installed the geothermal will make even more sense due to the ability to off-set the increased electrical consumption of the additional pumps. Mr. Powicki noted that, based on the published CVEC rates, the estimated cost would still be $0.085/kWh. He stressed that a site assessment was necessary. Mr. Wolf re-iterated that he felt the DPW would be best served by multiple systems; gas for heating and ductless A/C for the office area. Ms. Marchant suggested a min-split system for the A/C. She also suggested infra-red radiant heat for the bay area. The question was raised about how infra-red could work in a sealed combustion environment. It was clarified that there were multiple options; GSHP,Natural Gas, Oil and supplemental Solar. It was noted that in a hot water system, Page 1 of 4 water would need to be maintained at 180 degrees in order to heat in cold weather. The avg temp of the ground water would be about 55degrees. Mr Horn noted that the Snow and Jones and Cape Air would be examples of applications similar to the DPW. Mr. Powicki asked the reps if the CLC or NGRID would do an envelope audit to identify areas where more insulation could save money. Ms. Marchant said she would review this with Kevin Galligan of the CLC to discover if there are any insulation grants still available. Mr. Horn suggested GSHP for the offices and gas for the bays. Mr. Keutch suggested a hybrid system similar to the Town Office Bldg. Mr. Wolf asked if the CLC would provide Technical Assistance at the design phase. Ms. Marchant said the CLC could provide a list of designers that they believe are well-qualified, but they could not design the system for us. Mr. Powicki noted that the Town will need help in defining the scope of the analysis that is desired. Ms. Douglass asked if the CLC would assist in scoping out the analysis. Ms. Marchant suggested that the CLC could review the Town's initial draft of a scope. Mr. Powicki suggested that the Town may wish to request an options analysis versus describing a set design. Mr. Bersin added that the DPW generates about 1,500 gals/yr of waste oil, and that a waste oil burner could supplement the heat in the garage bays. It was noted that an on- demand tank-less gas system would appear to make good sense for the regular hot water plumbing. Eddy Elementary School HVAC— The Committee addressed the Eddy School Project. Principal Keith Gauley and Head Custodian Barry Schofield shared the Comeau report with the Committee members and summarized that there had been no consideration of the site environmental conditions when the roof top ventilation was designed. Most of the manual valves and control boxes and cast iron components have become corroded and rusted due to the excessive moisture and salt. The gas burners are pitted and it is expensive to repair them ($5,000/ea). The boilers and fin tube baseboards are fairly functional, but the problems are now urgent. The school is experiencing frequent break downs and expensive repairs. The parts are obsolete and hence larger and larger units are needing to be replaced. The new system is estimated to cost about $600,000, but that does not include any new ducting and will not touch anything inside the building. One of the key reasons for the failures is excess moisture inside and outside the building and no way to remove it The only way to prohibit mold is to run the AC which is expensive and not very efficient. Mr. Wolf noted that the Eddy School expends about $12,000 on natural gas and about $58,000 on electricity, with an annual fuel cost of about $70,000. Mr. Powicki noted that it seems as though it has been determined that there are no options to change the natural gas fuel. He stressed that it will be essential for any professional to be required to specify the materials that will stand up to the environmental conditions. The Town can't just accept the lowest bid. That is how the current situation developed with a system that is only 10 years old. Page 2 of 4 • Mr. Schofield went on to explain that the rubber roof is still not functioning properly. It leaks. The installation design was the primary factor affecting the corrosion. The seals and the painting were not done properly. What is needed is coatings that will stand up to salt. The combined cost estimate for the roof replacement and the HVAC is $2 mil and now the timing is key. This project can not be deferred any longer. It is costing money in all areas and it is not longer economically sensible to keep patching it. Stony Brook Elementary This building is still heating with 2 circa 1970 oil fired boilers. The system is forced hot water to baseboard fin radiators and uni-vent ducts. Mr. Horn said he would find out what it would cost to bring gas to the building. Mr. Powicki asked if CLC could assist with analysis of envelope measures for conservation. Ms. Douglass thanked everyone for their participation and help and noted that she would circulate draft minutes from the meeting to all those present. Energy Consumption Reports Mr. Wolf noted that the Town has not shown any reduction in electric consumption. He will circulate his report to the Selectmen. Other Business Mr. Powicki asked if CVEC had filed with the DPU and whether the Selectmen and/or the Energy Committee would be granted intervener status. Ms. Douglass said she would • try to get a response to that, but noted that the details of the DPU process would most likely be kept confidential by CVEC's attorneys and not be shared with the Committee. Solar Gardens Ms. Douglass reported that a tax issue has been raised regarding the tax status of the equipment and solar panels that will constitute the Solar Gardens on the Town parcels. She explained that My Generation Energy had believed that the equipment would be tax exempt, but that the State DOR may have a different interpretation. The tax consequence could dramatically reduce the economic viability of these projects. CVEC Solar Ms. Douglass noted that the CVEC solar agreements have been scheduled for approval at the Selectmen's 7/7/11 meeting. Town Local Comprehensive Plan Mr. Powicki noted that if the Planning Board re-convenes the Local Comprehensive • Planning, the Energy Committee should offer to assist in the drafting of an action and implementation plan for Energy and Energy Conservation. • Page 3 of 4 f Public Comment Mr. Keutch offered to serve as a consultant or liaison on the Eddy School Roof and HVAC project. Next Meeting The next meeting was set for 2:00pm on Thursday July 21st The meeting adjourned at 3:48pm Respectfully submitted, Jillian Douglass, Secretary Accepted A ,,�y,,�� I Z(70 7,' 2 fit P nature , Date Page 4 of 4