ENERGY COMMITTEE

Minutes

Wednesday, 10/25/06

Members present:                                             Members absent:

Thomas D’Avanzo                                            George Aronson

Ernest Kahn                                                     Ed Connelly     

Joan Spiegel                                                     David McCabe                        

Rosemary Tambouret

Arnold Wallenstein

Lynn Wolbarst

            This was the first meeting of this committee. The members of the committee who work in fields related to energy and the environment are:

            Thomas D’Avanzon – EPA

            Arnold Wallenstein – lawyer involved in energy

            George Aronson – Commonwealth Resources

            Ed Connelly – president of New Ecology, Inc., Cambridge, MA

Potential Goals and Projects:

1. The committee should first address conservation of energy as the simplest and most cost effective measure for change. The committee needs to get data and establish a baseline for energy use in Sharon, after which we can compare the town to other towns in order to establish goals. Energy Star has an on-line service to evaluate energy data. 

2. Explore alternative sources of energy

a. Small solar power project at the small building adjacent to the railroad tracks at Sharon Station

b. Explore potential for small hydro project or small wind project for the town.

3.   Explore the possibility of the town joining regional initiatives for energy conservation, such as Massachusetts Climate Action network (MCAN) or the Cities for Climate Protection organization.

To do list:

1. Establish a mission statement

2. Lynn Wolbarst will contact Eric Hooper, the engineer for the town, to set up a meeting with the committee

3. Ernie Kahn will try to gather any data available on energy consumption by the town

4. Next meeting will be on November 8 at 7:30pm at the Town Hall.