Town of Washington

Energy Committee

MINUTES

November 8, 2007

1.0        ASSEMBLY

1.1        Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM

1.2        Members: Johanna Young, Jerry Klohs, Lindley Rankine, and Douglas Cook

2.0             MINUTES

Rankine motioned that the Energy Committee's minutes of October 7, 2007 be accepted as written.  Cook seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

3.0             OLD BUSINESS

3.1             TOWN ENERGY AUDIT STATUS

3.1.1       Atlantic Energy Solutions is waiting on  town concerning wattages and run times at the DPW

3.1.2       Camp Morgan and the Police Station are not viable for energy savings project.

3.1.3       Charlie would like to present a complete proposal report next week

3.2             PROJECT WITH SCHOOL

3.2.1       Klohs is putting together a simple lesson to present to the students.  Ideas include a take home flyer, talking about "energy vampires" and simple energy saving tips.

3.2.2       Presentation will likely be scheduled for after the holiday seasons.

3.2.3       Any ideas or resources that may be useful in this project should be referred to Jerry Klohs

3.2.4       An example is: 30 Day Carbon Diet, www.empowermentinstitute.net

3.3             CONFIRM MEETING TIME

3.3.1       Energy Committee meetings will be regularly held on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall

3.4             EDITS TO BYLAWS

3.4.1       Grammatical edits made to Energy Committee Bylaws

3.4.2       Question concerning requesting funds to be asked during the next Conservation Commission meeting.

3.5        EXTERIOR LIGHT

               3.5.1    Cover of optical light sensor was removed in effort to reduce

                              running hours of the light.  The Energy Committee with monitor the results.

4.0             NEW BUSINESS

4.1             TABLE AT HOLDIAY FAIR

4.1.1       Cook will create a display for the table at the holiday fair

4.1.2       Ideas about the display include info about the Energy Committee, a light bulb demonstration, energy usage display, info about the energy audit, information about Christmas lights (LED vs. Conventional) and other Holiday related energy saving tips.

4.2             UPCOMING EVENT

4.2.1       Energy Conservation Forum to be held on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM in the Grantham Town Hall.  For more info go to:  www.uvlsprc.org

4.3             CREATING A BINDER

4.3.1       Klohs and others will combine Energy related resources in a binder for display in the Town Hall

4.4             EPA ENERGY CHALLENGE

4.4.1       Young will send letter back to the EPA Energy Challenge to confirm our involvement.

4.5             NEW ENERGY TIPS AND IDEAS

4.5.1       Insulate your wall outlet covers

4.5.2       For information about a vertical axis windmill go to: www.pacwind.com

4.5.3       For information about waste heat recovery go to: http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/467

5.0             ADJOURNMENT

5.1             The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM

 

Respectfully,

Douglas Cook

Energy Committee Clerk

 

Washington Energy Committee Bylaws

I. Mission

The mission of the Washington Energy Committee is to promote energy conservation, energy efficiency, and explore other ways to reduce carbon emissions among the town's residents, businesses and in municipal affairs.  The committee aims to assist the town in addressing the above goals as laid out in the town meeting vote on March 11, 2007.  These goals will be accomplished through educational activities and programs designed to encourage people to pay attention to their energy needs, consumption habits, and short- and long-term interests.  The committee may make recommendations, cooperate, and communicate with town officials, boards and commissions as well as public and private groups and individuals with similar concerns, and with the appropriate agencies of the state, regional, and federal governments.

 

II. Membership

The Washington Energy Committee shall be open to any Washington resident who wish to volunteer.  The committee will be held accountable as a sub-committee of the Washington Conservation Commission.

III. Officers

The committee shall elect the following officers annually at the first meeting of the group after the scheduled appointments:

  1. Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the committee and when he or she is present and shall direct the work of the committee.  The chair may appoint annually chairs of any standing committees from the membership as approved by the committee. The chair shall submit a brief annual report to the Board of Selectmen for publishing in the Annual Town Report.  The Chair shall ensure continuing liaison between the committee and the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and other town agencies and departments.
  2. Vice Chairperson shall assume all duties and powers in the absence of the chairperson.
  3. Clerk shall keep minutes of all meetings and proceedings of the committee and record and action taken.  Clerk shall post notices of committee meetings and give notice to members when necessary.  Minutes shall be submitted to the Town Clerk and Board of SelectmenÕs office for filing.
  4. Treasurer shall recommend action on all bills received by the committee.  Treasurer shall ensure the authorization of payment of any bills, as approved by the committee, for submission to the Board of Selectmen for payment.  Treasurer shall submit an annual financial statement to the Town.  The Treasurer shall consult with the town Treasurer to insure compliance with the state law.

IV. Meetings

The committee meetings shall be open to the public in accordance with NH RSA 91-A, and be held at a regular time and place when possible.  The time and place of each meeting shall be posted in accordance with these requirements.  All records and minutes of any committee meeting or action shall be filed with the Town Clerk and Board of Selectmen and be made available to the public.

Four members shall constitute a quorum.  Members shall make every effort to attend all meetings and perform such duties as are assigned.  Any member unable to attend a meeting shall notify and officer of the committee and make a report available for that meeting if requested.

V. Operating Expenses

The committee shall have the authority to request appropriations from the Board of Selectmen as part of their budget.  Any other funds appropriated to the committee shall be maintained in accordance with state financial requirements for the purpose of the committee.  The committee shall have the authority to recommend to the Selectmen that they receive gifts, grants, or money from any sources that shall be held for the purposes of the committee and used solely for these stated purposes.  Any funds from private, state, or federal sources that impose any obligation on the Town shall be accepted only by consent of the Board of Selectmen.

VI. Amendments

These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the committee by a consensus of the committee.  Written notice of intent to amend must be publicly posted, sent to each member of the committee, and sent to the Board of Selectmen, at leas seven days prior to the meeting at which the proposed action is to be taken.