[Ord. No. 2488, 3-16-2010]
There shall be a Town of Windham Energy Commission having the
powers and duties set forth in this division for the promotion of
energy efficiency, conservation, alternative energy in the Town of
Windham, with the overall goal of planning and executing a path to
a sustainable energy future. The Commission shall be known as the
"Town of Windham Energy Commission," and is referred to in this division
as "the Commission."
[Ord. No. 2488, 3-16-2010]
(a) The Commission shall consist of seven regular members and two alternate
members who are electors of the Town of Windham.
(b) Except as otherwise provided below, the regular and alternate members
shall be appointed to offices of terms of five years.
(c) The Mayor shall appoint the members of the Commission subject to
the concurrence of the Council. Regarding the regular members, at
the first appointment the Mayor and Council shall appoint one regular
member for a term of one year; one regular member for a term of two
years; one regular member for a term of three years; one regular member
for a term of four years; and three regular members for a term of
five years. Thereafter, as the term of each initial regular member
expires, the Mayor shall appoint successors for a term of five years.
The Mayor shall appoint alternate members for a term of five years,
subject to concurrence by the Town Council.
(d) The members of the Commission shall be town residents interested
in energy conservation and production.
(e) Upon a vacancy on the Commission, the Mayor shall appoint a successor
subject to the concurrence of the Town Council.
(f) The Town Council may remove any member of the Commission in accordance
with the Town Charter.
(g) Commission members shall serve without compensation or reimbursement
of expenses incurred.
[Ord. No. 2488, 3-16-2010]
The Commission shall have the following enumerated powers and
duties, and all powers and duties necessarily implied to accomplish
these enumerated powers and duties:
(1) To research and review the energy usage of the town, both the municipal
corporation and the community.
(2) To recommend energy production and conservation policies and practices
for the town. In this regard, the Commission shall evaluate and report
to the Town Council about the feasibility of the Town of Windham creating
its own municipal utility for the distribution of electricity and/or
aggregating energy demand and using brokers or other facilitators
to provide least-cost energy to meet that aggregated demand.
(3) To appear at hearings, meetings, and forums to comment upon and submit
information relating to energy production and conservation within
the town.
(4) On behalf of the town, to apply for grants to execute the purposes
of the Commission.
(5) To prepare and periodically update strategic and action plans for
energy conservation, efficiency, and production within the town, and
to present those plans to all appropriate persons and bodies. Such
plans shall include, but not be limited to, performance baselines,
benchmarks, and targets to enable the Town Council to evaluate and
track the effectiveness of energy initiatives.
(6) To monitor local, regional, national, and international trends in
energy usage, conservation, efficiency, and production that may be
instructive for the town in helping it lower costs, minimize waste,
and minimize fossil fuel emissions.
[Ord. No. 2488, 3-16-2010]
The Council may appropriate funds for the use of the Commission.
Such funds may include, but not be limited to, a percentage of grant
funding obtained by the Commission or the town for administration
of energy conservation and efficiency projects.
The town may create enterprise, revolving, or special revenue
funds from which the town may disburse energy conservation appropriations
pursuant to this division.
[Ord. No. 2488, 3-16-2010]
The Commission shall report at least annually to the Town Council
about the Commission's activities and outcomes.