Town of Littleton Committees

Energy Conservation Committee Minutes Feb 25, 2010

LITTLETON ENERGY CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
MEETING ON 25 FEBRUARY 2010

Attendees: Jan Edick, Ron Bolt, Carl Schaller, Arwen Mitton, Mary Edick, Ray Cloutier, and guests Karen Tippit and Diane Cummings

Administrative Matters

The minutes of the 28 January 2009 meeting were approved.

Energy Efficient Window Treatments

Karen Tippet and Diane Cummings, Details Window & Interior Fashions, made an informative presentation on the key benefits of energy efficient window treatments. They feel that the impact of energy efficient window treatments is underrated given that the average home can lose 30% of its heat or air conditioning energy through its windows. The briefing concluded with examples of some of their recent projects such as the children's room at the Littleton Public Library, the Alpine Clinic in Franconia, and a resident that had film installed on west facing windows. Many of the products available through Details are eligible for federal tax credits.

New Business

The committee received a letter from The Hadlock Group describing a new homeowners insurance endorsement program designed to help policyholders save energy and protect the environment when restoring their homes. This insurance covers up to $20,000 to cover the added expense of rebuilding your home with eco-friendly materials and energy-saving electrical, lighting and heating/cooling systems.

Mary discussed possible locations for bike racks, and will also seek out of the advice of Dave Hartness before a final decision is made. Ron mentioned that he had contacted the Safe Routes of School committee for information about a planned spring "bike rodeo". The committee will support this project but needs more information.

Mary obtained a long list of energy saving tips from Chris Barss who works at Lakeway Elementary School. Various options were discussed as to how best to make this information available to the general public. One idea was to create an ECC information page on the town's website.

Old Business

Ron and Mary attended the 16 February meeting of the Planning Board to discuss the topic of a zoning ordinance change to ease the process of approvals for windmills. The Planning Board approved of this initiative and plan to place this before the voters at the 2011 Town Meeting.

The Town submitted several projects for NH Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant stimulus money. One project focuses on insulating the Highway Garage and converting to a gas-fired IR heating system. The town also submitted a project for the LRH and three projects for the Community Center. The committee agreed that should the Highway Garage project not be accepted, that we should suggest the town pursue this through a 2011 warrant article.

Jan reported that he had contacted Jack Cook and obtained information about tax exemptions for wind, solar, and certain wood burning energy projects. An article in Franconia in 2009 for wood-based central heating passed, and similar articles for wind and solar are on the ballot in Franconia this year. These articles do not actually allow for a tax exemption, as such, but state that if a homeowner upgrades to one of these technologies there will be no increase in their property assessment. Joe Wiggett researched the tax implication of these kinds of exemptions and determined they would be negligible.

Other Business

The committee sees the need to better educate the business community in Littleton about energy efficiency. There are several examples of good awareness and use in town, but there is room for improvement. The Committee will contact the Chamber of Commerce before the next meeting to see what kind of informational programs might be effective.

The next meeting is scheduled for 25 March at 5 pm.

Very Respectfully,
Ron Bolt, Secretary, Pro Tem

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