TOWN
OF MANSFIELD
Sustainability
Committee
Minutes
of the Meeting
September 23, 2009
Present: Stafford, Duffy (chair), Britton, Hart,
Hultgren, Walton
The meeting was
called to order at 7:15 p.m.
The August 26, 2009
minutes were reviewed and accepted.
New member, Lisa
Stafford, introduced herself.
Walton
reported that the Clean Energy Team is finalizing preparations for the $500
Energy Challenge. They are also exploring whether to hold another fluorescent
lighting sale, since funding has been restored to this program. The Clean
Energy Team asked if they could become an official energy committee and have
representation on the Sustainability Committee. It was suggested that at the
next meeting there be a vote on making the Clean Energy Team a subcommittee of
the Sustainability Committee.
Hultgren
reported that the Town has not yet found a work study intern to help tabulate
energy information.The Town will continue to pursue help. In the interim, staff
has been directed to begin categorizing the strategic plan action steps in a
similar format as UConn’s. There was some discussion on whether the committee
should look at how it defines sustainability – from a people-centric or an
earth-centric viewpoint. The committee decided that for the next meeting not
only should the action steps be worked on, but also some short-, intermediate-
and long-term goals. The committee agreed that staff recommendations will be
helpful in setting goals for the next meeting.
Duffy
suggested that the sustainability committee website folder contain background
documents such as the Asheville, NC Sustainability Plan, Keene, NH Climate
Change Report, Mansfield’s Strategic Plan, UConn’s Climate Action Plan and LEED
building guidelines. Committee members are also encouraged to add items to the
folder by contacting Walton.
Hart
reported that he recently attended an ICMA conference where sustainability was
a featured topic. He found impressive examples of what other communities are
doing that have a similar population to Mansfield. West Mount, CA, is an example whose population is 20,000.
Hart will also be serving on the newly formed ICMA sustainability committee.
Hart
gave a report on three town projects. First is the near completion of the
Middle School fuel conversion. This heating season natural gas will replace the
electrical heat system. Second, the school building committee is looking at
whether to renovate the elementary schools or consolidate all three schools
using property at Southeast Elementary School. Third, the water conservation
study for non-university users of UConn’s water system is about to start.
The
committee proposed that the next meeting be scheduled for Wednesday, Nov 4,
2009 at 7:00, canceling the October and November regularly scheduled meetings.
Staff will confirm this date and location. Agenda items include a spreadsheet
of the action plan and determining goals for the near and distant future.
Committee members are asked to become familiar with the sustainability section
of the strategic plan for this meeting.
The meeting
was adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Virginia
Walton
Recycling/Refuse
Coordinator
Cc: Lon R.
Hultgren, Director of Public Works, Members, file, Town Manager, Town Clerk