Colebrook’s EEC Minutes Meeting #3
Energy & Environment Committee
12/3/07
Meeting started at 7:20 and ended around 9:30
Members present: Chris Gueymard, Lenny Martel, Bob Soucy, Julie Moran
Items discussed, as follows.
Our Mission Definition
We discussed the following mission ideas to provide information for residents to become “greener” and save money. This is in regard to energy costs and environmental costs. Several ideas were proposed about how to get the appropriate information out to the public:
1. form a central repository (possibly use the public library);
2. maybe do mini conferences or seminars once a month;
3. tag team with the Balsam’s Spring Expo to educate the public about energy costs and possible savings using new technologies, efficiency technology, recycling, and provide info about grants, tax incentives, and low-cost loans.
The job ahead is to gather pertinent information, and put it into newspaper articles, handouts, and other media available for the public.
More discussion was on our responsibility to involve key people, such as local builders, plumbers, and installers, and educate them about the new technologies available and better/greener practice.
Energy
We discussed the report that Donna Caron gave concerning the Town building energy audits and town energy solutions for the waste-water treatment plant. Questions arose concerning the following: Could the EEC have a copy of the Energy Audit? Did the audit result in recommending better roof insulation for the Town Hall? If not, is there a way to insulate the first floor? Is the second floor unheated? Have the windows been caulked, and is there a plan to replace them with more energy-efficient ones, including insulation in the air spaces? Can we come up with a plan to preheat the oil with hot water return coils in the Town Hall, schools, and other town buildings? (It would take 60’ of 3/8” copper wire to do this.)
Note: if we could educate three oil technicians in the town, to improve the way that oil is burned, we could save tons of money by increasing efficiency tremendously.
The recent relamping using energy-efficient bulbs in some town buildings has already resulted in significant energy savings. The relamping cost is an investment for the future that can be paid back in about a year. We are not sure whether this effort has benefited all town buildings yet.
Town Swimming Pool water heating
We could save significant money by adding a solar hot water system and a grey-water heat recovery system. It was noted that, apparently the underground oil tank was not insulated prior to installation, therefore lowing the temperature of the oil, which would decrease burning efficiency substantially. Changing the way the pool water is heated could result in significantly reduced costs of operations. There are also considerable volumes of warm water (from showers, hot tub, pool) and warm moist air, whose heat is currently wasted but could be recovered with heat exchangers. The same energy efficiency principle would apply to other facilities where large volumes of water are heated every day.
Energy Publications
Chris Gueymard and Bob Soucy shared several magazines and articles that were of interest. Chris has many (mostly about renewable energy) available in his office (some in electronic format), and tries to find an effective way to make this searchable and/or available to interested parties. Bob offered to make his own magazine collections available upon request.
Publicity and Outreach
Julie was given an opportunity to highlight the Committee’s Vision and Mission to a Forum of 40 volunteer agencies in Colebrook. A copy of her written submission and verbal notes was shared with the group, and is attached to this report. Our committee was well received by the Forum.
Recycling Issues
Julie reported that the visit to the Transfer Station was delayed due to inclement weather, and will report on that at a later date. Her meeting with Donna Caron regarding the Town Recycling issues is recorded in an email to the group, and is printed as an attachment to this report.
The was discussion about the value of materials currently being recycled, such as car batteries and electronic equipment (TV, computers and monitors…). Batteries are valuable and should paid a fair amount, which is currently not the case here. Individuals that want to dispose of their TVs and similar equipment have to pay significant fees (typically, $20) for disposal. Better solutions are needed, e.g., by grouping all such materials to be recycled at predetermined dates and locations, to be properly advertised.
Julie and Marie-Josee are working on getting a project going at the High School, but have not been able to meet yet.
Town Landfill Project
Donna Caron sent word via Julie that April Hyde and the Selectmen are working with an engineering company on a Feasibility Study for REA, to provide a mixed wind/solar/methane-recovery solution for the ongoing power needs of the landfill, and are exploring options to try to sell power back to REA. The committee decided that this project does not need our assistance, as it is well underway.
Actions to Pursue
Next Meeting: Tuesday, Jan 8, 2008 7:00 PM at KHEOPS. Snow date: Jan 15. Snow date is any date where several on the committee must be plowing the roads.
Continue ongoing projects as outlined during the previous meeting:
- Gather information regarding Recycling and Energy Issues
- Contact other interested individuals to join the committee
- Form a Publicity Campaign and write news articles
- Pursue the High School Recycling Project.
Request info from Town, Pool, and schools, as listed in the discussion above
Tour the Transfer Station and assist with Recycling public relations.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julie Moran
Attachments
1. Meeting with Donna Caron
2. Forum Notes
3. Forum written submission
1. Donna Caron Meeting with Julie Moran Nov 12, 2007
3 years ago, Donna had an energy audit done for the Town Hall, Hwy Garage, and Transfer Station. NHPS financed them 0% for the cost of replacement bulbs, because they could sell that electricity for more money elsewhere.
Cheryl Covill is in charge of school buildings
Landfill project supplied enough used engine oil for the transfer station heating needs for a year
Water Treatment plant has solar aerators that NHPS financed for 0% again.
Payloader is being converted to WVO by David Belanger, but status of upgrade is unknown
Recycle Center - Wally Laro’s office at the transfer station
Wally wants to do more for recycling
Coos County currently has 2-year contract for cans, bottles, newspapers, corrugated
Peter Cummings is local administrator under Sue Collins - county
Administrator
Lee Transfer Station has a swap shop made and manned by volunteers
Littleton and Lancaster cut waste by 40% by making citizens pay per bag for trash
Won’t decrease taxes, but the $ saved could go to road pavement or other needs
Donna Caron request for Julie Moran to become head of committee in her place, at tomorrow’s Selectman meeting.
2. Forum Notes
Energy and Environment Committee (EEC)
Commissioned at March 2007 Town Meeting - Report to Town Manager
14 highly motivated participants
Creating a list of energy and environmental issues for Town of Colebrook
Plans and Current Focus
Creating Recycling Projects to save $$$ and the Environment
Educating the Public on energy and environment issues
Looking for Energy Savings for Town and Residents
Tax Breaks for installing new energy technology
Grant money and low-cost loans available to residents & town
Exploring low-cost wind power, solar power and energy efficiency for buildings, etc.
Reporting Progress
Plan to publish articles in the newspaper to inform the public of our progress
If you have questions or info, please contact anyone on the committee, or myself
I’m the most available, since I’m the newest flatlander on the block!
Group: Energy and Environment Committee
Basic Description: Volunteer group voted into existence at 2007 Town meeting to address energy and environmental issues.
3. Forum Written Submission
Contact Name: Julie Moran
Year Founded: 2007
Type of Organization: volunteer committee of the Town of Colebrook
Funded by: no funding yet…
Membership/Structure: volunteer steering committee
Affiliates/Partners: none, yet
Audiences/Markets:Town and citizens of Colebrook
Mission and/or Purpose:To address energy and environmental issues concerning Colebrook.
Other Info or description: Issues include educational programs, recycling programs, the use of alternative energy technology and energy efficiency in buildings, homes, vehicles, and any other public safety issues concerning energy use and our local environment.
Recent Achievements, Accomplishments, and Successes:
Committee formed in May 2007; now meeting monthly
Established list of issues needing attention in Colebrook
CURRENT PROJECTS and PLANS:
Recycling Project to assist Recycling at Town Transfer Station
Recycling Project to enlist community groups for annual recycling projects
Energy Project - Attempting to get free Public Service energy Audits for public and private parties
Pursuing Solar “transpired collectors” for public and private warehouse buildings
Pursuing Wind Power Projects for public and private use
Planning to publish Recycling and Energy articles in News & Sentinel or other newspapers.
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