PUBLIC FORUM Monday, March 4, 2013

Introductions – Consultant Team

VHB, Inc.

Ralph Willmer, FAICP

Robert Nagi, PE

Kari Hewitt

Agenda

Welcome

Group survey

Energy introduction by Brian Choquette

Presentation on energy issues and feedback from the audience

Transportation introduction by Michelle Ciccolo

Presentation on transportation issues and feedback from the audience

Group survey

Next steps

SURVEY QUESTIONS

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?

1 2 3 4 5 6

11%

7%

25%

0%

50%

7%

1. Watch TV

2. Play on electronic devices

3. Go to a movie

4. Get outdoors

5. Nothing

6. Come to interesting public

meetings like this one

How long have you lived in Hudson?

1 2 3 4 5 6

4%

7%

11%

50%

21%

7%

1. Less than 1 year

2. 2 – 5 years

3. 6 – 10 years

4. 10 – 20 years

5. Over 20 years

6. Don’t live here

Did you know that Hudson Light and Power offers free/discounted energy audits?

1 2 3

34%

21%

45%

1. Yes

2. Yes, but didn’t know details

3. No

Did you know that HPLD offers renewable energy incentives?

1 2 3

50%

29%

21%

1. Yes

2. Yes, but do not know details

3. No

Did you know that HPLD offers energy conservation incentives and appliance rebates?

1 2 3

59%

22%19%

1. Yes

2. Yes, but do not know details

3. No

Overview of HLPD Energy Conservation Incentive Programs

Brian Choquette Assistant General Manger

HLPD Residential Energy Conservation Programs

Free Energy Audits:

Review building envelope for air seal leaks in windows and doors

Assess room by room energy consumption

Review heating and cooling systems

Indoor and outdoor lighting review

Infrared camera analysis

Appliance calculations and review rebate programs

HLPD Residential Energy Conservation Programs

Appliance Rebates:

10% of the appliance price up to the limits below:

Clothes washer $50

Dish washer $50

Room air conditioner $50

Refrigerator $50

Dehumidifier $50

Central air conditioner $100

Electric air source or geothermal heat pump $100

HLPD Residential Energy Conservation Programs

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Sales

Reduced rate of $1.00 per bulb

Limit 5 per customer

15W equivalent to a 60W incandescent

20W equivalent to a 75W incandescent

25W equivalent to a 100W incandescent

HLPD Commercial Energy Conservation Programs Energy Audit

50% of the audit cost up to the following limits:

Municipal accounts: $7,500 per town

Small C&I (less than 100 KW): $1,500

Medium C&I (100-500 KW): $2,000

Large C&I (more than 500 KW): $4,000

Audit includes:

Site visit

Utility bill evaluation

Data loggers (if needed)

Site analysis for lighting, HVAC, compressed air, etc.

Report presentation and recommendations

HLPD Commercial Energy Conservation Programs Commercial & Industrial Rebates (based on audit

recommendations)

50% of the total improvement costs up to the following limits:

Municipal accounts: $15,000 per town

Small C&I (less than 100 KW): $4,000

Medium C&I (100-500 KW): $9,000

Large C&I (more than 500 KW): $15,000

Improvements include:

Efficient lighting

Variable frequency drives replacing old motor starters

HLPD Photovoltaic (Solar) Incentive Program

$1.00 per Watt of installed solar up to a maximum of:

$5,000 per residential customer per installation per year

$10,000 per commercial customer per installation per year

Excess Generation

Excess generation will be purchased by HLPD for the Power Adjustment Charge for the given month

Must meet applicable requirements

Panels to face south

Inverter with anti-islanding features

Safety disconnect switch

HLPD Energy Conservation Incentive Programs

Additional information can be found on the HLPD website:

www.hudsonlight.com

QUESTIONS ?

Energy Overview and Discussion

ENERGY OVERVIEW

What are we talking about when we talk about energy?

Energy used to operate:

Buildings

Outdoor lighting

Vehicles

Generation and distribution of energy

Fuel Sources

Renewables/Alternative Fuels

Energy security and reliability

Economy

Why does it matter for the Master Plan?

Land Use

Development patterns impact energy use and energy infrastructure

Zoning and building codes (renewables, energy efficiency)

Transportation

Fuel consumption

Alternative fuels and infrastructure

Public Health

Meeting energy needs without compromising public health

Economy

Revenue generation; costs to end-users; jobs

Hudson Light & Power

Asset to the Town

Revenue generation

Low electric rates for residents/businesses

Reliability

Clean sources

70% of HLPD’s supply is from GHG-free sources

Efficiency and Renewables programs/incentives

What can the Town do?

Influence within its own operations:

Buildings

Lighting

Fleet

Set Efficiency/Reduction Targets

Policies and Financial Mechanisms

Work with HLPD to continue to provide reliable service at low rates to the customers.

Education and Outreach

Best Practices – Muni Operations

Audit municipal buildings

Implement energy conservation recommendations (HVAC systems, lighting)

LED streetlights/traffic signals

Renewable energy installations on site (solar PV, solar thermal)

Adopt green or energy efficiency policy for new construction/major retrofits

Energy efficiency purchasing policy

Municipal fleet

Reduce fleet size, when possible

Reduce idling

Replacement policy – fuel efficient/alternative fueled vehicles

Best Practices – Community Scale Programs/Policies

Outreach and education around energy literacy and existing incentive/rebate programs

Commercial, Residential, and Industrial

Through HLPD, NSTAR, and State programs (ex: MassSave)

Expedited permitting/financial incentives for energy efficient development

Energy Efficient/Green Building Code

DISCUSSION

What are the long-term goals related to energy for Hudson?

What about short term goals?

SURVEY QUESTIONS

Have you ever received an energy audit at your home or business?

1 2 3

41%

4%

56%1. Yes

2. No

3. I wanted to, but didn’t know how/was too expensive

Have you ever received a rebate for the purchase of an energy-efficient appliance?

1 2 3 4

37%

15%15%

33%

1. Have purchased and received a rebate from product company

2. Have purchased and received rebate from utility

3. Have purchased without rebate

4. Have never purchased an energy-efficient appliance

Have you ever installed energy conservation or renewable energy technology at your home or business?

1 2 3

15%

48%

37%

1. Yes, renewable energy

2. Yes, energy conservation/efficiency measures

3. No

What do you think is the single most important thing the Town can do with regard to energy?

1 2 3 4 5

29%

7%

0%

29%

36%1. Efficiency in municipal

buildings.

2. Renewables on municipal property.

3. Green building/energy efficient building codes.

4. Education and outreach to businesses/residents.

5. Improve efficiency of vehicle fleet.

Transportation Overview and Discussion

Hudson’s Current Roadway Network

Source: MassGIS, 2005

How does Transportation “Fit” into a Master Plan?

It defines how investments should be made by outlining the community’s goals and objectives.

It identifies who is part of the process and defines their overall roles.

It helps set the stage for what is practical and effective.

Be “Smarter” about where and what the community invests in

Know what you have to work with.

Identify targeted improvements to the Town’s transportation corridors.

Be sensitive to the context in which the investment is being made.

Plan for the future, but respect the present.

Build upon what works, address what doesn’t.

Create Effective Partnerships

Neighboring Towns and Cities and MassDOT are key to providing regional solutions.

Form coalitions to support improvements for the regional networks.

Develop consensus for improvements to regional issues.

Enhance/create transit connections.

Build upon the success of ped/bike corridors with those advocacy groups.

Focus on engaging the whole community (businesses and residents)

Identify where employment centers and population centers will see growth.

Organize and teach businesses to help themselves.

Develop integrated TDM programs.

Ask businesses for help and input on key transportation improvements to the system that will help them to thrive.

Develop a realistic funding plan

Identify how the community spends money ~ develop a holistic investment strategy in transportation.

Plan for complete streets, not just patchwork upgrades.

Plan for the future and develop a long-range “action plan” that the community can refer back to for guidance.

Relevant Town of Hudson Transportation Information

Washington Street/Route 85 Corridor Project (underway)

Washington Street Bridge Project (preliminary studies underway)

Assabet River Rail Trail Implementation Plan (2001)

MAGIC Subregional Area Study, 2000

Community Development Plan, 2004

Transportation Chapter (4) focuses on existing conditions and services, alternative transportation options, congested sites and suggested improvement projects, and outlines an action plan.

Urban River Vision Initiative, 2002

Valuable planning tool that explores ways to revitalize downtown and the Assabet River

495/MetroWest Development Compact (2012)

SURVEY QUESTIONS

What is your primary mode of transportation?

1 2 3 4 5

100%

0% 0%0%0%

1. Car

2. Bus

3. Bike

4. Feet

5. Other

What is your secondary mode of transportation?

1 2 3 4 5

5%0% 0%

95%

0%

1. Car

2. Bus

3. Bike

4. Feet

5. Other

What are your reasons for walking places when you do so? Choose all that apply.

1 2 3 4 5 6

19%

48%

5%

14%

9%

5%

1. To run an errand

2. For recreation/exercise

3. To go to school or work

4. To lower your carbon footprint

5. All of the above

6. Other

Should the Town regularly allocate money to maintain and improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities?

1 2 3

76%

10%14%

1. Yes

2. No

3. Not sure

Do you use the MBTA, WRTA, or MWRTA services on a regular basis?

1 2 3 4 5

0%

4%

52%

39%

4%

1. Daily

2. Once a week

3. Once a month

4. A few times a year

5. Never

Should the Town do more to provide transit services?

1 2 3

27%

18%

55%1. Yes and it should be paid for out of the Town’s operating budget

2. Yes, but the Town should find some other source of revenue

3. No

Acknowledging the fiscal realities of today's society, do you feel that the town is doing enough to address the transportation challenges you face on a daily basis?

1 2 3 4 5

14%

5%

23%

27%

32%

1. Strongly agree

2. Somewhat agree

3. Neutral

4. Somewhat disagree

5. Strongly disagree

Should more focus be spent on alternative forms of transportation infrastructure (such as sidewalks, bicycle accommodations, transit services)?

1 2 3 4 5

57%

17%

4%

17%

4%

1. Strongly agree

2. Somewhat agree

3. Neutral

4. Somewhat disagree

5. Strongly disagree

Is the condition of the Town’s roadways bad enough to borrow money to fix them?

1 2 3

36%

32%32%

1. Yes, it is important to maintain the Town’s roadways

2. No, it is unwise to bond for road repair

3. Not sure

DISCUSSION

What do you believe should be the priorities for the community when it comes to transportation investment?

After the Washington Street Bridge project, where should the Town consider focusing their resources?

Can you think of any short-term projects that would be relatively simple to accomplish, but might result in tangible results?