Sustainability, Energy, & Resiliency Committee

Meeting Minutes December 15th, 2021 – 6:30 P.M. Remote Participation via Zoom Introductions Chair John Hayes Vice Chair Jeff Cohen Doug Bowker Gail Kubik Phil Koch Chris Cantone Meg Riccardi, City Council liaison City Staff: Jenna Ide, Director, Sustainability and Resiliency Department & Capital Projects Vanessa Pineda, Energy Manager Stacy Kilb, Sustainability Engagement Coordinator (recorder) Not Present Esmeralda Bisono Public Pat Gozemba Christy Evans Marcum Public Comment Review & Approve Meeting Minutes – October 27, 2021 A motion to approve the minutes, pending revisions submitted to Stacy Kilb on Monday, December 20, is made by Jeff Cohen, seconded by Chris Cantone, and passes in a roll call vote with all in favor: Jeff Cohen Yes John Hayes Yes Chris Cantone Yes Gail Kubik Yes Rick Nye Yes Doug Bowker Yes 98 WASHINGTON STREET, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 ♦ TEL: 978.745.9595 FAX: 978.740.0404 ♦ WWW.SALEM.COM Vote to remain fully remote through March 2022 (John Hayes) State has enabled Boards to remain online through March, but this must be voted on. Jeff Cohen moves that SERC meetings remain online on zoom through March, is seconded by Gail, and the motion passes with all in favor, hands raised, no nays, no abstentions. Discussion: • John Hayes: Data regarding [COVID] cases is not good, with winter and indoor activities, he proposes to zoom as long as allowed, through the March meeting. • Gail Kubik asks if the online allowance is not extended through March will it be hybrid or fully in person? Hybrid but Jenna Ide notes that only 1 meeting room is set up for hybrid and it is difficult to do, technologically. We will need to make sure we can reserve a room, if not, we may need to meet in person. • Doug Bowker notes that his wife has run hybrid meetings, and he can help with that. It is anticipated that the City will continue to have access to/use zoom for meetings in general. The advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Jenna Ide, other City staff, and Board members thank Jeff Cohen for his work on the Committee. City Updates Developer Training Project (Stacy Kilb) • RFP will be put out after holidays Community Outreach & Engagement (Stacy Kilb) • Work continues on Forest River Signs • Forest River “Sneak Peek” happening on Saturday the 18th John: CZM project: Woods Hole group modeling, did it for Marblehead, impressed with their work Climate Crisis Review & Update (John Hayes) Impressed with the community of scientists in the field observing and modeling, as well as journalists covering this issue. Notes that this issue is “in our face.” Being aware of it and tipping points can give us momentum for action. It is a crisis, but we can make an impact in the upcoming 10-15 year period. PowerPoint presentation: • Theme: Warming of the Arctic o Siberia Wild Fires and Heat Wave Articles o Articles on Arctic Sea Ice Disappearance 98 WASHINGTON STREET, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 ♦ TEL: 978.745.9595 FAX: 978.740.0404 ♦ WWW.SALEM.COM  o NOAA Arctic Report Cards 2020 and 2021 o Summer rains, not snow in Greenland o Alaska’s Permafrost thawing, a “carbon time bomb” (methane +CO2) o Permafrost is the “glue that holds the arctic together.” o Critical tipping points outlined o Things happening globally have profound implications for sea level rise in Salem • Jeff Cohen: o NYC today passed a law that for small businesses in 2024 and large in 2027, any new development may not have any gas heating or stoves o Company he works for is a Mass Save Partner, current incentives to end of 2021 reward people for staying within current heat source (oil or gas to more efficient versions of the same) much more than for converting to geothermal or air source heat pumps. ▪ Starting in 2022, rebates are not based on heat source. Roadmap bill had a goal of 1 million homes to be converted, but by the end of this year it will only be 500. Whole home conversion will have a$10K rebate. Multifamily, condos or apartments, if have own meters, landlord can get this $10K for each unit. ▪ MassSave has never addressed commercial properties, but incentives will begin in 2022. Rebates for commercial air source heat pumps is extreme. New Business Jeff Cohen’s final meeting as SERC member; nominate and vote for Vice Chair Tribute to Jeff Accomplishments: • No Place for Hate Committee • RETF prior to SERC, involved in Living Green & Renewable Energy Fairs • Solar Ordinance Development • Making Salem more sustainable • 100% Clean Energy Resolution • Promoting Offshore Wind • Promoting the Climate Roadmap • Green Building Ordinance • Promoting Building Electrification Jeff notes his most boring but impactful work was as Salem Recycling Coordinator. 98 WASHINGTON STREET, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 ♦ TEL: 978.745.9595 FAX: 978.740.0404 ♦ WWW.SALEM.COM Proud to be on SERC, was alternate to Committee as Recycling Coordinator. As City Councilor, there will be no compromise by him on environmental issues. Salem should have a Resiliency Ordinance that can serve as an example to other municipalities. Phil Koch wishes Jeff all the best, noting that it could not have worked out better having “one of our own” on City Council. Rick Nye agrees. Chris Cantone notes that SERC is here to help Jeff in his work for the City Jeff Cohen nominates Gail Kubik as vice Chair, and is seconded by Rick Nye. John Hayes comments that Gail is an architect deep into climate change resilience and how architecture can contribute to a reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions. John looks forward to her continuing expertise in this Committee. All in favor unanimously. • PowerPoint on SERC website or FB page of actions being taken to mitigate climate change. Must emphasize solutions. All SERC members should gather info. Vote to endorse resolution in support of Green Futures Act Process is discussed, Roadmap requires financial enabling act. • Half of the money will go toward targets for climate mitigation, especially important with TCI not happening • ¼ to Cities and Towns for resiliency projects (not sustainability), Salem will get $7 million, would be great to say we don’t have to spend taxpayer money • ¼ will go to ensuring that low- and moderate-income families receive rebates, so they don’t suffer undue hardship from the carbon crisis • Sent resolution to Committee with fact he has submitted to SERC • Wants SERC to vote to be head of resolution • Money will be earmarked for Salem, legislature can play with it, have not decided how it will be distributed but probably over a matter of years • This is separate from President Biden’s infrastructure bill. Chris Cantone asks if these can be combined. Money must be under the umbrella of resiliency, $7m sounds like a lot but is not enough to make Salem resilient, can probably be combined w/ infrastructure bill money • May combine w/grant money, too. 98 WASHINGTON STREET, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 ♦ TEL: 978.745.9595 FAX: 978.740.0404 ♦ WWW.SALEM.COM Jeff Cohen motions to recommend the resolution to the City Council. All in favor via roll call vote Chris Cantone Yes Gail Kubik Yes Jeff Cohen Yes Doug Bowker Yes Rick Nye Yes John Hayes Yes Discuss need for Resiliency Ordinance Gail and Jeff to work on this in 2022 Discuss meeting Schedule for 2022 (November 16 and December 14) Chris Cantone motions to meet on the 4th WE\ednesday each month, with the exceptions of Nov. 16 and Dec. 14, is seconded by Dough Bowker, and the motion passes with all in favor. Chris Malstrom is now on the meeting, is introduced by Jeff Cohen, and says a few words of introduction/ Jeff Cohen thanks Pat Gozemba. She gives shout outs to Jeff and the Community for passing the Green Futures Act as it embodies the best of Environmental Justice w/largest rebates going to those most in need. Jeff Cohen mentions Bertini’s being sold; this includes a portion of Rosie’s pond, but he is hoping the actual development will be far from that. 20% of units at 60% AMI will be affordable. Josh Turiel, himself, Joe Correnti [attorney for the project], and Marc Tranos [the developer] met w/architect. The Green Building Ordinance was mentioned, but the developer felt they would address resiliency with solar/green roofs, etc., electrification of heating/cooling, etc. This may be one of the first large-scale projects that must adhere to GBO. Rick Nye: possible to do geothermal w/close water source? No ledge which is important. Building within buffer zone/wetland? Both projects face this issue (Lee Fort Terrafce and this)? Will they come to SERC with designs? And answers with concerns? They came to us, but are they expecting SERC to go to other meetings? Pat Gozemba will ask them to go to SERC, and also will invite SAFE members to the SERC meeting. 98 WASHINGTON STREET, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 ♦ TEL: 978.745.9595 FAX: 978.740.0404 ♦ WWW.SALEM.COM The Bertini project is different, by buying large parcels of land they acknowledge that they will be distancing from Rosie’s Pond, but Jeff mentioned to Joe Correnti that the wetlands ordinance is not out yet. They have not gone to ZBA, the first step as they will need variances. They are aware that the wetlands ordinance will dictate difference. Gail Kubik asks about the architect but this is not known. Renderings were difficult to figure out. The potential project layout of 7 buildings with parking will only take up 1/3 of the property; Bertini’s may be requiring them to purchase the wetlands. Parallel St. has 5-6 homes that should never have been built, as they flood regularly even with a minimal amount of rain. Doug Bowker notes the area is at the bottom of a river basin. “In 1850 you could sail all the way to Swampscott in there.” Jeff opines that with condos, the owner builds and walks away, but this is rental units so they may put in solar as a return on their investment, and be more involved. Ferris Junkyard project got 11 variances, he was against it b/c that is too much. What is the purpose of our laws if they need that many variances? Height, parking, and density variances are OK, but if environmental variances are sought, developers should not be allowed to skirt codes. Upcoming Events Lee Fort Terrace Public Meeting: Thurs. 12/16/21, 5:30-7:30PM Join by Computer or App: https://zoom.us/j/99026376006 Or Join By Phone: (646) 558-8656 Meeting ID: 990 2637 6006 Forest River Project Opening Celebration: Sat. 12/18/21, 10:30AM-12:30PM Tour the newly renovated Forest River Pool site and meet the new Sustainability & Resiliency Department team members at the opening celebration. Located at 32 Clifton Avenue, Salem, MA. Upcoming City Committee Meetings Tree Commission: Third Monday of the month, 12/20/21, 6:00PM Recycling Committee: First Tuesday of the month, 1/4/22, 6:30-7:30PM Conservation Commission: Third Tuesday of the month 12/21/21, 6:30PM Next SERC Meeting – January 26, 2022, 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. 98 WASHINGTON STREET, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 ♦ TEL: 978.745.9595 FAX: 978.740.0404 ♦ WWW.SALEM.COM Adjournment Rick motions to end the meeting at 8:00PM, is seconded by Jeff Cohen, and all are in favor. Persons requiring auxiliary aids and services for effective communication such as sign language interpreter, an assistive listening device, or print material in digital format or a reasonable modification in programs, services, policies, or activities, may contact the City of Salem ADA Coordinator as soon as possible and no less than 2 business days before the meeting, program, or event. Know Your Rights Under the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. c. 39 §23B, and City Ordinance Sections 2-2028 through 2-2033. Please contact Jenna Ide at jide@salem.com or 978-619-5699 for more information. 98 WASHINGTON STREET, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS 01970 ♦ TEL: 978.745.9595 FAX: 978.740.0404 ♦ WWW.SALEM.COM