HomeMy Public PortalAbout20120612 - Sustainable Green Committee - Meeting Minutes SGC 061212 ~~ REV. 9/17/2012 ~~ PAGE 1 OF 2
TOWN OF HOPKINTON
~ SUSTAINABILITY GREEN COMMITTEE <”HSGC”> ~
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD TUESDAY 6/12/12 7:30 PM
In attendance: Andy Boyce, John Keane, Laura Connolly, Nancy Dourney, Gretchen
Govoni, Caroline McManus, Frank Durso, Margo Roman, Ken Parker, Aubrey
Doyle
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Acceptance of Minutes [5.21.12]
Minutes approved by Andy, Nancy, John and Aubrey. Laura and Gretchen abstained as they weren’t at last meeting.
3. Green Energy Fundraising for Hopkinton nonprofits presentation by Phil Butler
Veridian – buy 20% of their energy from green sources. For every person that signs up, funds get set aside to non-profit, for Hopkinton would be for Sr. Center.
Expect it is cheaper than NSTAR, at least initially.
Phil not able to make it tonight.
4. Re-group - Improving Recycling in the Schools Dr. Laman is leaving, Dr. Demello will be interim Superintendent.
Laura sent her note re recycling plans that were already presented by CWG. Laura
got a note back and will likely be in touch in next week. Identified top 11 criteria
plus 10 lower level items. Laura has also requested feedback from Dr. Demello on the high school recycling proposals previously presented.
5. Solarize Update
Have chosen vendor, Solar Flair. Starting at $3.69/watt for first tier, $3.59/watt for second tier. 152 people on list right now. Harvard had a 25% conversion rate from interest to
actual install. ~60% tend to utilize PPA’s.
No minimum system size required.
All installs have to be completed within a year. PPA rate is $0.065 per kWh, drops to $0.05 per kWh at lowest tier [250 kwh+]. Home studies to start once contract signed with Solar Flair.
If purchase system, payback is roughly four years, plus get SREC’s [at minimum
of $280/SREC which would be ~5 per year on a 5kW system for 10 years] and ~
$90/mo savings on electricity costs for next 25 years. This would amount to minimum of $14k for SREC’s plus $27.5k for electricity savings. Plus ~30% Fed tax benefit and 15% state tax benefit.
SGC 061212 ~~ REV. 9/17/2012 ~~ PAGE 2 OF 2
Solar 201 scheduled for Thursday June 28 at Sr. Center. Solar 1 was attended by ~
50 individuals.
Also have bank that is lending to installers, allow restructuring in first two years with no penalty. Allows purchase of system versus PPA. They would like to become a “sponsor”.
6. Government Affairs Update
Send Caroline info for press release on grant from state for $10k (~90 hours). Had call with State and Cadmus as to how we can use them for the project. Broke down hours on multiple activities – defining actual town usage (assuming ~5 MW),
master plan changes (minimal), educating town and town boards/FAQ, help
develop RFP, help develop PPA. Starting on all of them asap but have to be used
by 9.15.12. Met with Elaine Lazurus last week – identified spaces were what was elderly housing and additional housing. Have to review with Board of Housing – Linda
Donahue – Dave to contact. She recommended we meet with Planning Board and
then Board of Selectman.
Expect need to go to Special Town Meeting with this project – October/November. Target breaking ground by Q1 2013. Have the RFP from Dennis that we are reviewing and will use as a basis for ours.
Looks like we will need an NSTAR Interconnection Study.
Andy will talk to John Cutino to have a pre-meeting to discuss potential Planning
Board questions. 7. Library Display Update
Caroline met with Library Director regarding a small display for Solarize.
Pamphlets, books they have, watt-meter data, information for 201, cost savings,
etc. Consider putting on the library website.
8. Old Business
Center Trail moving forward, identifying trees to remove (~60 trees, mostly
smaller). Would be a stone dust surface. Activity should pick up in fall. Rail Study Committee – Ken is on committee but not much happening as yet.
9. Adjourn
Adjourned at 9:15 PM.
DRAFT OF MINUTES
Respectfully submitted to committee for review and revision,
Aubrey Doyle, Secretary