Monday evening, September 20, 2010. Special Meeting of the City Council held in the Council Chambers, City Hall.~
Councillors Present: Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns, James Robinson, Jr. and President Neil Janssens.
Others Present: Robert Hubbard, Director, Community Development & Planning, and Richard Reynolds, Building Commissioner.
President Neil Janssens called the meeting to order at 6:45 o’clock p.m. and read aloud the following:
Any person may make a video or audio recording of the open session of this meeting so long as it does not interfere with the conduct of the meeting.~ All documents and exhibits used or referenced at this meeting shall be submitted in duplicate to the City Clerk, as they become part of the minutes of the meeting. Is there anyone present who will be recording this meeting?
No person in attendance responded.
President Janssens stated the Special Meeting was called to discuss Council Calendar Item # 8452, Acceptance of 780 CMR Appendix 120.AA of Massachusetts State Stretch Energy Code.
Councillor Joshua Cormier, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, stated the Committee met on September 7, 2010 to discuss the matter and recommended it be referred to the Council as Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Hubbard was recognized by President Janssens. He stated the reason for accepting 780 CMR Appendix 120.AA of Massachusetts State Stretch Energy Code is so Gardner can qualify as a “Green Community”. He referenced five (5) criteria necessary to qualify, as listed on the handout entitled “DOER’s Green Communities Program”. The first was completed, the second and third in progress, the fourth in the Mayor’s hands (fuel-efficient vehicle purchase policy), and fifth, adoption of the “Stretch Energy Code”.
Mr. Reynolds stated the Stretch Energy Code will be implemented statewide in 2012, notwithstanding action by the Council now. The Code’s purpose is to create more energy efficient buildings, thereby saving energy operating costs in the long run.
Mr. Hubbard cited the cost-benefit analysis in the handout and access to current energy-related tax credits. He added the State is providing grant funds if the Code is adopted now, suggesting the Council move forward on [accepting] it now. The deadline to submit a grant application is October/November with awards announced in January 2011.
Councillor James Robinson asked if any “disqualifiers” exist that would prevent Gardner from becoming a Green Community.
Mr. Hubbard responded the City has already met three of the criteria and his office is working on the remaining two.
Councillor Scott Graves stated the guidelines require a public hearing.
Mr. Hubbard stated he would investigate the public hearing notice and procedural requirements.
On questioning, Mr. Hubbard stated that if the Council adopted the Code now; it would take effect on July 1, 2011.
The Council opted to wait until the next regular meeting to take action, pending an answer as to whether a public hearing is required.
President Neil Janssens adjourned the meeting at 7:10 o’clock p.m.
Accepted by the City Council:
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