Committee Articles

2008 ATM

ARTICLE XX. Will the Town (1) establish a permanent Energy Action Committee and (2) appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds a sum of money to be expended under the direction of the Energy Action Committee to implement the energy plan as prepared by the Energy Policy Committee and carry forward the mission to reduce the energy footprint of the Town, or act on anything relating thereto?

(Inserted at the request of the Town Administrator and the Energy Policy Committee)

COMMENT: The Board of Selectmen established a temporary Energy Policy Committee to benchmark the energy footprint of the Town and develop a plan to understand and control energy consumption, raise public awareness, and reduce the Town’s impact on the environment. The Town Administrator and the Energy Policy Committee submitted this article to establish a standing Energy Action Committee to continue the work of the Energy Policy Committee by performing the following duties: (1) implement the short- and long-term energy plan recommendations as approved by the Board of Selectmen; (2) continually monitor the energy footprint and act accordingly per the established targets; (3) submit an annual line item funding request for approval by the Board of Selectmen; (4) increase public awareness, (5) mobilize citizen volunteers to assist in implementing the energy plan; and (6) continue to develop and implement energy related recommendations based on market conditions and available technologies.

RECOMMENDED: That the Town establish an Energy Action Committee with nine members: three citizens to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen for an initial two year term and two citizens to be appointed by the Moderator for an initial three year term, with the chair of said Committee to be a citizen and jointly designated by the appointing authorities for an initial three year term. The General Manager of the Municipal Light Plant (or designee) will actively serve on the Committee as a member. The Town Accountant and the Business Manager of the School Department (or their designees) will serve as ex officio members on the Committee. Subsequently, the appointed members may serve up to two consecutive three year terms.