Energy Task Force - Minutes - 09/14/2023

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
PHONE; 860-442-0553
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Energy Task Force \
Minutes — Special Meeting September 14, 2028
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Members present: Kevin Girard (RTM), Mary Childs (RTM), David Peabody wortires®
Attanasio (via phone) (BOS), Ivan Kuvalanka (elector), Ursula Moreshead (elector)
Also present: John Mullens Planning Director,
Members absent: Chris Jones (BoE),
1,, 2. Call to Order/Roll Call: With a quorum established, the meeting of the Energy Task
Force (ETF) was called to order at 6:34 p.m. by Chair Kevin Girard.
3. Public Comments: there were no public comments
4. Approval of 7/24/23 meeting minutes: Motion by Childs, second by Moreshead to
approve the 7/24/2023 minutes as presented. Voice vote: motion passed, Peabody
abstained.
5. Review and discussion of stated charge: group discussed updates regarding our list of
potential changes with the Planning Director, John Mullens. The Planning Department has
submitted all required documents for the energy benchmarking conducted by UCONN. This
includes all Town building energy use for the past two years. Once the benchmark is
complete, the Town would be able to initiate a third party energy audit to identify and plan
to address areas where conservation or reduction is possible.
A second topic for the Planning Director was the placement of solar panels on school
buildings. Director Mullens reported that he would speak to the Board of Education
regarding this.
Board of Selectmen representative Attanasio reported that Public Works Director Schneider
is looking into EV charging stations and potential need for zoning changes. At this point a
fleet shift would need to be gradual where the smaller vehicles are the target. Larger
capacity vehicles are not feasible for EV or Hydrogen power at this time.
The group also discussed ways to benefit residents in Town, for example requestinga
zoning change to possibly permit land based solar panel arrays.

6. New Business: Group discussed the plan for our next meeting. The members will discuss
research for developing informational ads or fliers to share with our community as a part of
an educational energy efficiency campaign for residents.
7, Adjournment: Motion made by Peabody seconded by Kuvalanka, Vote unanimous. Meeting
adjourned at 7:16 pm
Submitted by Mary Childs, ETF Secretary