Committee Report - E&E - 2-9-12 — File 192551

February 9, 2012 Environment and Energy Special Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 2/9/2012 REPORT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY SPECIAL COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Rebekah Gewirtz Chair Present Maryann M. Heuston Vice chair Absent Sean T. O’Donovan Ward Five Alderman Present Bruce M. Desmond Alderman At Large Present John M Connolly Alderman At Large Present William M. Roche Ward One Alderman Present David Lutes Environmental Programs Manager Present Stan Koty Public Works Commissioner Present Alicia Berta Member Present 190218 - That this Board requests that the Administration investigate the availability of grant funding for electric car charging stations being offered by the state.: Mr. Lutes spoke about the history of the proposed grant and said that he is working with Traffic and Parking and OSPCD to find acceptable locations so that the city might take advantage of this. Mr. Lutes will continue to search for similar opportunities and grants and will research how many municipalities have received these grants. The committee will follow up in the next few months. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190343 - Requesting approval of a Resolution that the Office of Sustainability and Environment work with the Mayor’s Office to convene a Public Somerville Climate Summit.: Mr. Lutes discussed the hurdles involved in finding funding and said that he would like to use the Green Community Act Funding but the Department of Energy Resources won't allow that. The commission meets monthly and the administration is prepared to move forward. Mr. Lites has been in contact with individuals who can provide resources for the Summit. The estimated cost would be $15,000 -$20,000. A greenhouse gas inventory needs to be done as well as gathering background material on what other communities have done. There will be a meeting with the commissioner in the future to plan a summit.

Committee Meeting February 9, 2012 Environment and Energy Special Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 2/9/2012 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190907 - That the Commissioner of Public Works make inquires on the purchase or lease of a snow melting machine and report back to the chair of Environment and Energy with cost projections.: Mr. Koty explained the need to be able to get rid of snow in the future and said that a snow melting machine would require a $360,000 investment. The melting of snow would only be able to be done at North Union Street in Assembly Square because there is a direct line to Deer Island at that location. Mr. Koty suggested contacting other communities to inquire if they would be willing to melt their snow Somerville's melter for a fee. Mr. Koty will update the committee at the beginning of March. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191053 - That the Environmental Programs Manager inform this Board of the city’s efforts to use green cleaning products in all buildings and advise on whether an ordinance requiring this is warranted.: Mr. Lutes stated that 50-65% of materials being used are green. The AM/PM contract for the high school and Winter Hill School require green products and are at an 85% level. The remainder of buildings are working towards that 85% goal, however, in some cases, green products can not be used. Mr. Lutes discussed a state policy that has been amended due to changes in products. Chairman Gewirtz would like to review the Brookline ordinance on this subject and prefers to put an ordinance into effect now because the next administration may not want to enact such an ordinance. Mr. Lutes feels that an ordinance may be restrictive. This will be revisited in March. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192235 - That the Commissioner of Public Works advise this Board of the timeline for delivering single stream recycling totes to medium to large condo buildings.: Chairman Gewirtz spoke about condo owners not receiving individual totes. Mr. Koty stated that extras totes were collected and were provided to people wanting them. Apartment building owners are being charged for the totes if they use private contractors to collect their trash. Mr. Koty spoke about the concerns of property owners and Mr. Lutes explained that some large buildings don’t need a tote for each unit. He will continue to work with building owners/residents to determine what their needs are. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192524 - Environment Massachusetts requesting support of a bill to raise the cap on the state’s net-metering program, to support solar energy.:

Committee Meeting February 9, 2012 Environment and Energy Special Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 2/9/2012 Mr. Lutes stated he is not prepared to comment on this item at this time. Chairman Gewirtz would like to circulate the letter for review. The committee will revisited this issue in March. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE