Present:: Larry Rappaport, Chris Gueymard, Bob Soucy, Brian LaPerle, Julie Moran, Mike Falconer, Amy Shannon
Mike and Amy showed the Committee a power point presentation of their off-the-grid home suing alternative energy for electricity and heating. Solar panels, a windmill, hot tub, 12Volt lights, and a solar greenhouse.
Expo Responses: People raved about the Expo. Many had never seen real windmills or solar panels. Lots of useful information available there. Complaints about too many seminars per hour. Mike Falconer felt validated by it.
Expo PR and Follow-up: D Harris and J Moran did assemblies at Pittsburg, Stewartstown, and Canaan schools. Did not get given any time for Colebrook schools. They also put forth a challenge to compete in the Earth Day Science Fair sponsored by the CEEC. They are trying to get Assembly time in Colebrook, and will try to go back to the other schools to get this going.
Expo Challenge from Bethlehem Energy Committee: Election Day CFL Giveaway and sale yielded $885.25, of which we owe $625 + $248.50 for Shipping=873.50 + 5.60 for Posterboard materials. 970 bulbs distributed, and 530 more to go. J Moran pulled this together within a week. Hardest part was getting permission to do it at election. All Town officials were very enthusiastic about it, and so were PSNH, NHEC, who sponsored it, and EFI (Energy Federation, Inc) who sent us the bulbs in a hurry. Possibility of Key Club doing a distribution at IGA and Solomon’s - J Moran awaiting response from Lindy Falconer. No other date or plan set for the rest of the bulbs - will plan at next meeting?
Ongoing Projects:
StayWarmNH - the project from the NH Office of Energy and Planning that Rolanda Duschene told us about, is looking for volunteers to winterize homes with materials paid for by grants. J Moran and D Harris have signed up to lead teams. We are looking for more volunteers.
Open House Tour next Spring? Tag it onto EarthDay Science Fair? To discuss in January.
Workshops for Winterizing. Offer Free CFL to attendees? Do we need B.O. D Liability Insurance if we do this? Maybe we need it regardless of what we offer.
Discussion on whether we should try to help others by doing blown-in insulation, or just simple weatherization projects. (If we volunteer with StaywarmNH, we are covered by NH state policy.)
PAREI offers Pipe Insulation to residents - should we? Currently not funded - No decision.
Planning for next Expo and EarthDay Science Fair - January meeting
Toxic Waste Clean up in Preparation for PAYT? - to discuss in January.
Recycling and Energy Ambassadors - J Moran trying to gather volunteers to do specific projects to help residents and businesses with recycling and energy issues.
District Heating Meeting tomorrow night in Lancaster - meet at Town Parking Lot at 4:30 PM.
Schools and Solar Energy - Colebrook school principals and superintendent interested in going solar or doing something to cut their heating and electric costs. Asked for our assistance.
Energy Audits from PSNH - J Moran in touch with G Abood of PSNH to set up audits for Library, Fire station, schools, and a few businesses and homes. Playing phone tag.
Committee Formation: C Gueymard told the committee that Danielle Ruelland officially resigned as Committee Secretary. Vote to accept resignation. J Moran told the committee that Dick Harris volunteered to be Secretary. Vote to accept his nomination.
M Falconer asked why the CEEC doesn’t meet weekly. Members said that we just don’t have time. L Rappaport said that we should have a B.O.D. and subcommittees to work on the many projects. B.O.D. doesn’t need to meet every month and do the details, but should be working on overall direction, funding for projects, and legislation. B LaPerle said that the committees should bring a project to the B.O.D. to approve and fund.
Committee pursuing 501(c)3 status. Will need to file for EIN, open bank account, and adopt Bylaws. B Soucy, L Rappaport, and J Moran to find some other Energy Committee Bylaws and send electronically to Energy List before next meeting, so we can amend and adopt the ones we need for this group.
Bank account to be opened - Pres and Treas will be signers - one signature per check.
Discussion over the scope and governance of this committee, and the name of it. Some suggested to simplify it so we can put it online and be found easier. Others thought it should be descriptive. Questions on whether it is a “Colebrook only” committee, or can be inclusive of members from other towns. Members to seek answers from Town officials concerning oversight, accountability, legality, liability, membership, and Bylaw formation.
General Discussions & Suggestions:
M Falconer asked why we haven’t advertised to get more members for the committee, and for volunteers. He suggested the classifieds. The group decided to go for it. B LaPerle said to do it weekly until the end of the year. “Join the Green group. Local Energy and Environment Committee seeking new members - email energy@lists.lmr.com or call 237-8685. Meetings 2nd Tuesday of the month.”
M Falconer - put together a book on ways to save energy, building little projects. Members interested, but question of liability for this project. Will pursue it over next few meetings.
Committee Focus: B LaPerle suggested that membership needs to be the focus for now. There are so many worthy projects that need volunteers. So we need to focus on organization and membership for the next meetings.
Agenda for December 9, 2008 meeting to include: Review Bylaws, Elect Directors, Formulate Mission Statement and Goals. 7:00 PM at Kheops Building.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julie Moran
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