Cornwall Energy Task Force
Minutes for August 2, 2008, 9 - 11 am.

Meeting attended by: Anne Zinsser, Debbie Bennett, K. Freygang
Minutes approved from July.

Old Business:

o Clean Energy Sign Ons Update - Problems are evident since Katie has sent 23 new sign -ups to Sterling Planet in Georgia (Main Office) of which 11 have been received by the CT office and none have been reported to CT Innovations. Meanwhile we estimate 120-150 forms issued with verbal agreements that are unaccounted. Katie and Deb are trying to track down the problem and get secure numbers to use to qualify for an extra array of panels.

o Solar Panel Installation Update- The report is now in hand with just the installation size undetermined. Gordon and Katie have been working to get clear specifications prepared and there will be an open house for bidders the week of August 18. CT Innovations and the winning bid will designate a financial plan using state initiatives. Some monies will be owed by the town, which will be reviewed by the Financial Board and supplemented by private donations in September. The estimated time of completion is 10 weeks from the open house, hopefully the beginning of November.

o CCS Lighting Audit with Alliance- Debbie is going to administer this plan so that the subsequent saving can be initiated when school opens in September. She will create a biannual report that will show progress to students and the town.

o Publicity- Anne and Debbie are working on an article for the Lakeville Journal about the Solar Success of panels on the Bennett property. Anne is working on an article for the Chronicle about the growing demand for shared transportation now that gas prices are rising.

o NW Corner Update- Nothing concrete although pieces are floating: a blog, a webpage, possible symposium in the fall by the NW Corner Alliance, new Energy Task Forces in Kent, Harwinton, Salisbury and Canaan.

o Transportation Update - See publicity. No other report.


New Business:

o Fuel Oil Group Discount Program- At the request of Ray Fontaine, we are looking for a block price for oil this winter. Companies are being interviewed, negotiation points are being determined, and community interest is being measured this month to try to come up with a program for the winter. Katie is working on this.

o Agricultural Fair Sept 20- Bill Dineen is holding a space for us at the agricultural fair. So far we intend to include light bulb sales by Techniart, a Town Fuel-Oil Program, Clean Energy Sign-up Sheets, a Recycling display, KW Meter Sales, and Fliers about Home Audits. Plans and other ideas will be discussed at the next meeting.

o Poster by Marc Simont- Mark Simont has made a wonderful poster for us to use for our promotion of Solar and other events. It is the same layout as the clothesline design but featuring a black bikini bottom. Everyone loved it. The black and white format will lend itself to more applications. Falls Village also wants to use it. Anne Zinsser will send a Thank you letter to Marc expressing our deLight!

o Home Audit Program- See Ag Fair.

o Small and Med Wind- To begin our understanding of the potentials of small and medium wind power, Mark Garrett of Community Energy has offered to come and discuss new incentives designed to stimulate production in CT. We decided to accept his offer to introduce this to us being sure to include Gordon, Nick and Hedden of Mohawk Mountain to make an evaluation. This could also be expanded into a library program for other Cornwallians. Katie will ask Mark to attend our October meeting to make his presentation.

o Loans for Small Businesses- A resource from CL&P, Small Business Energy Advantage, has been very successful in Norfolk to help small businesses address their rising costs due to specialized machinery. Katie will look into this program to see if it could also benefit those in our community.


Next Meeting to be announced (First week of September).
Most communication will be by e-mail due to vacation schedules.







Katherine Freygang