HomeMy WebLinkAboutNantucket Energy Study Committee Minutes 03-03-2011_201402051107344640DRAFT
Minutes, meeting on March 3, 2011, at 16 Broad Street, Nantucket
Town Meeting April 4, 2011; we are concerned with Articles 44, 45, and 46.
Next scheduled full committee meeting: April 7, 2011, 5pm, 16 Broad Street
In attendance were committee members Mike Burns, Peter Morrison, Barbara
Gookin, H. Flint Ranney, and Whitey Willauer. Absent were Anne Kuszpa and
Chris Magee. Also in attendance was Robert Patterson, Gregg Tivnan, and
Kitty Pochman representing the Linda Loring Foundation. Present by
conference phone were Greg O¹Brien and Simon Thomas.
The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman Willauer at 5 pm. The
agenda and minutes were approved unanimously, Barbara Gookin abstaining due
to previous absence.
An informational brochure prepared by Whitey Willauer was presented and
approved.
The Committee discussed public outreach ideas and how to meet any public
skepticism concerning the wind turbine project at the Landfill. Greg
O¹Brien, who has extensive media and PR experience, suggested that we have
all appropriate answers to questions that may be raised by any anti-turbine
groups before or during Town Meeting. Complete transparency for this project
is a requirement. Peter Morrison agreed to update his power point
presentation for upcoming meetings, and Barbara Gookin will prepare and
place ads in the I&M. Gregg Tivnan will post upcoming presentations as
public meetings on March 11, March 15, March 17, and March 26. Simon Thomas
will update his Madaket presentation for the public meeting on March 10.
Simon said that he will provide site maps and photos of the three potential
turbine locations, and suggested that ³No Objection² letters be obtained
from any abutters willing to provide them. He will provide noise, flicker,
and visual analyses for each of the three sites.
After some discussion on return of investment, the committee came to a
consensus that one average annual cost savings number for the project should
be spread over 20 years, not just seven or nine. The first seven to nine
years will require paying down the debt, while the following years will be
debt and interest free. An example of a successful wind turbine project is
in Portsmouth, RI, where the net annual savings are over $250,000.
The object of this project is to have it properly designed, sited, and
insured, including a reserve fund, so that there is zero risk for the Town.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 pm.
DRAFT
H. Flint Ranney, Secretary