Meeting called to order at 5:36 PM by Chairperson JK
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jack Cadwell (JC), Dan Dibble (DD), Janice Kurkoski (JK), Steve Kurkoski (SK)
MOTION: JK 2nd JC To accept amended minutes of last meeting Aug 18 passed unan.
GRANT REPORTS
JK reported that Tracy Styles and David Young have helped pull together the Green Communities (GC) quarterly report. JK sent pictures of the machinery; Mini-splits at the Warwick Community School (WCS) and Warwick Public Library (WPL), new lighting in WCS gym. A steel covers for the compressor at the school stage is about to be installed, others are being made by the students at the tech school and will be installed.
JK is helping Ivan Usach, librarian, learn how to most efficiently use the new mini-splits at the WPL.
Infrared (IR) heaters for the WCS utility room needed to be approved by the Fire Chief. Chief Larsen contacted the State Fire Marshall and determined the electric IR heater could be installed; It needs to be at least 11 horizontal feet away from any fuel tanks. Todd Weed was scheduled to install it but he is away until some time in Nov. JK has asked Gates to calculate the size needed and DY gave the OK to have Gates order and install it. This is the last item to be installed on the current grant.
The grant was for $143,930 with $3,089 for admin help which will go to Tracy Styles, according to her time sheet.
JK went to the Sept 15 meeting of the Highway Commission to get feedback on ideas for future GC work:
better windows in the garage/office – yes
Insulate the block building – yes
More solar panels – yes
IR heater for the garage – yes
She also asked how long the current heaters are expected to last, No estimate. She also asked if the no idle when temps are above freezing is still policy, no comment. She was told the Town has bought a used truck with a wing plow that is too tall for the current garage doors so the plan is to create a new door in the gable end of the garage. This will necessitate moving the electric service and the solar interface. She was told there are no plans for a new building or additions to the existing garage.
JC asked about the condition of the underside of the Police building. JK said she hasn’t been under there in a few years but that there is a heavy membrane holding the insulation in place that seems to be OK.
JC has been drawing floor plans for the old and new fire stations, the police office, and highway buildings. He is working on plans for the WPLibrary.
JK said the addresses on the National Grid (NG) records for Town buildings need to be corrected before submitting the application for installing solar panels on any of the town buildings.
The Annual Report for the GC needs to be signed by the Selectboard. The report is due Nov. 4th. FRCOG has $ for helping with the Annual Report and the Climate Leader application.
CLIMATE LEADER
The Climate Leader application is due in Dec and also has to be signed off by the Selectboard. There are many “certified” documents/minutes that need to be filed. When asked what “certified” means, JK said the Town Clerk does that.
JK is writing the narrative drafts for the Highway, Fire and police depts. JK said she has sent the Police Chief Shoemaker a set of questions. Fire Chief Larsen has sent a preliminary narrative which JK will send to the WBEC members.
The “Road Map” includes intended responses to “triggering events”, such as a furnace needs to be replaced or other equipment failures, which will be replaced with more energy efficient equipment. She said she has most of the energy data but could use help with the narratives. The Road map must contain : Specific emission reduction measures to be implemented as indicated by “triggering events” to reduce the use of onsite fossil fuels in buildings and vehicles by at least 25 percent by 2030, and a timeline with milestones to implement additional measures to transition away from the use of onsite fossil fuels by 2050
JC offered to contact Orange Oil regarding the oil furnace at the highway garage.
Emily has written great narratives for the WCS and WPL. Still needed are narratives for community engagement events and plans for the old fire station. JK will send a list of these and any other narratives for the WBEC members to help finish the application. JC asked if the Historical Society building is on the list. JK responded that it is not listed on the NGrid bills for the Town.
WINDOW INSULATING WORKSHOP
JK reported that she was approached by members of the WPL Trustees about holding a window treatment workshop. JK said there were several ideas she has for demonstrations: Cheri Robartes’ insulating curtains, DD’s honeycomb window shades, JC’s storm windows. She also mentioned “winserts” but that would mean making frames ahead of time to be wrapped and weather-stripped at the workshop. JK stated that she was too overwhelmed by the summer events she helped organize and run to more than show up with “winsert” materials and show people how to do them. DD offered to make frames that would fit cellar windows and JC offered to bring a sample and talk about storm windows.
GREEN CORNER
JK offered to update an earlier notice she put on the “L” regarding the reduced electric rates for people who have installed mini-splits and submit it as the November GC.
FORMER UNITARIAN CHURCH BUILDING
JC reported that there is no new development on the church building plans. The ad hoc Capital Planning Committee is waiting for a report from the consultants that come this summer to review and recommend plans to stabilize the structure to prevent any deterioration while a use plan is being developed. JC said he will keep the WBEC informed of any new developments.
Next Meeting Thurs Oct 16 at 5:30 PM
MOTION: To adjourn Passed unanimously 6:55 PM