Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission
June 13, 2013
Members present: Laura Finestone, Ian Duncan, Joe Britt, Ethan Roland, Jorge Gomes
Facilitator: Ethan Roland
- Introductions and welcome of members of the public in attendance
- Reports
- Stream monitoring – Avery is taking over monitoring duties for Joe this year. Joe went out with Avery to train him, but it would be good if some more ECC members were also trained as back up sample collectors. A date will be set at the next ECC meeting for training on the stream monitoring procedures.
- Rail Trail – Steve not present to report, but Laura informs group that Steve relayed to her that the town (Rochester?) will mow a short section of overgrown rail trail.
- EMC – Jorge was unable to attend the last monthly EMC meeting, but informed the group that this month will be the EMC’s annual roundtable to be held in Rosendale. Rochester ECC provided topic for Jorge to raise at the meeting: promote Rochester Farm Market/Eco Fair event, future of Williams Lake?, Rochester solar project research and Fordmore Rd. bridge.
- Solar Update – Laura, Ian and Jorge attended meeting with Carl Chipman and representative from Lighthouse Solar. System options were discussed and several years of electric bills were provided to Lighthouse. Follow up email conversations with Lighthouse indicate that a 48 kilowatt system would provide the Town Hall and barn with 100% of its energy needs. System cost would still prohibitive to purchase due to the town not being eligible to receive state and federal tax credits. System cost for purchase would be $100K, so other options (lease or 3rdparty financing) need to be further explored. Jorge will set up another meeting to explore options with interested ECC members, Carl Chipman and Lighthouse Solar.
- Creek Week
- Annual Creek Week event happens in September – no specific Rochester ECC event planned yet
- Avery would like to build on Creek Week by scheduling more creek clean ups prior to September. Laura would like to incorporate a prior photography/art project that Avery created to photo document litter along the creek.
- More discussion on topic at next ECC meeting as Avery was unable to make it to the June meeting.
- Farm Market and Eco Fair
- Subcommittee met and further developed list of invitees. Invites need to be pushed back a few weeks since there is still not a logo for the event, so letterhead has not been created. Chris Hewitt came up with a logo, but it was not exactly what the subcommittee was looking for.
- Action items to prepare for October event: Create event Logo, order signage (directional and promotional), press release and send out invitations to potential participants.
- Ethan volunteered to come up with a marketing plan like last year.
- Rochester ECC needs to develop some type of display for our organization to have at the event. What, exactly, is to be determined???
Meeting adjourned 7:55 PM