Warwick Building and Energy Committee March 3, 2024
Present: Janice Kurkoski (Chair), Jack Cadwell, Dan Dibble, Mary Humphries, and Steve Kurkoski
Meeting opened: 5:57 p.m.
Becoming a “Climate Leader” Community: Discussion of requirements for certification such as ZEV-First vehicle policy. What are the exact definitions of heavy-duty vs. light-duty vehicles. SK asked what the Town gets out of this designation. More money available. Seed money to hire a municipal clean energy/climate coordinator! Support for geothermal for existing buildings and new construction. SK feels the proposal is a little premature with few specifics. This idea would have to be sold on money, not green issues. July 1st is the date the new building stretch code will go into effect and will have to be followed. New building inspector coming into office. SK says educational efforts are important instead of rushing things. We need to hear what our fellow Warwickians are thinking and saying about this. JK doesn’t want this to be pushed too far into the future. We can start letting people know what’s coming.
Discussion of Article for Town Meeting to Adopt the Opt-In Specialized Stretch Code Chris Mason suggests we have a meeting at the Library and make a live presentation also available via zoom. Write up something ahead of time with facts and perhaps post on the Town Website, as well as notifying the Finance Committee. JC noted the similarity to what the Planning Board did with the ADU issue. Feedback is important. If we proceeded with this, it would be due approximately two weeks before the May 5th Town Meeting. SK suggested this be sold on return on investment instead of green issues. JC says the short leadup time won’t present this in the best light. What other nearby towns have adopted this code? Chris Mason would be a good resource for this information. SK feels strongly about educating the community and that we should start letting people know what’s coming, even though we’re in agreement about not bringing this to a vote at the May 5th meeting.
Update – Status of the Green Communities Grant – The Stiebel Eltron hydronic heat pump for the equipment garage at the Fire Station is complete (and needs to be run at 60.) John Hicks is working on the mini splits at WCS and plans on being finished by June; however, the timing is more difficult for him to get into the school, as there are stricter time limitations for contractors entering the building.
Winserts –JC left the meeting for this discussion. JC is very busy, and scheduling availability to make the winserts is unknown. Approximately 40 winserts are needed for the WCS West Wing and the stage. JC returned after discussion.
Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Grant – PV on more Town Buildings. This is another grant in the works! JK is viewing the Fire Station as the center of communication during power outages and other emergencies. Janice wants to focus on PV and battery storage for the Fire Station. DY wants to put weather stations all over Town so roads could be monitored without having to travel the roads, which would result in savings on vehicle fuel use. Not sure of the deadlines for this grant, but JK will keep us updated.
Storage of Styrofoam a – check with Janice.
EV school bus – It could be a Kia EV9, a seven-passenger vehicle for approximately $64K, plus school bus upfit. Diana N and Brad Compton are looking into this, talking with dealers and hope to test drive one. The proposal for spending up to $80K for a hybrid or electric SUV for a school bus passed at the December Town Meeting. The school is currently renting a vehicle for $300/day. A fully EV has advantage over a hybrid in no oil changes or other maintenance and does not have to leave town to “refuel”. Electric charging can happen at the school with the installation of a simple 50A circuit. Various grants and/or $7,500 off dealership price are available. JK says there’s a lot of money out there that just needs to be found.
Styrofoam Recycling Project: The Transfer Station Commission is not able to offer storage etc. at this time, so we hope to work out a more grass-roots effort to accomplish this. Janice Starmer has more information on some possibilities.
Next GC article – JK suggested an article on the electric van/school bus for WCS, or Mary suggested an article about her new E-bike (if it arrives in time).
Meeting adjourned 7:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Humphries