Minutes
Sustainability - Minutes - Jan 8, 2026
Jan 8, 2026
A public record published by the Town of Simsbury (simsbury-ct.gov). mySimsbury indexes it and makes it readable; it is not the official copy. View the original file.
Sustainability Committee Regular Meeting Minutes January 8, 2025 - 6:30 P.M. Attendees: Jami Lewchik, Chair (At-Large Member) Bayard Faithfull, Vice Chair (At-Large Member) Brian Burkhart (At-Large Member) Michael Schulitz (At-Large Member) Nick Criscitelli (Ex Officio Member, Planning) Lydia Tedone (Public) Chris Petron (Town Liaison) Agenda/Minutes: 1. Call to Order a. Motion - Jami Lewchik @ 6:33 p.m. 2. Roll Call of Voting Members and Declaration of Quorum a. Quorum identified 3. Public Audience a. No public audience 4. Approval of Minutes a. December 2025 Regular Meeting minutes i. Motion - Michael Schulitz, 2nd - Bayard Faithfull, all-in-favor b. December 2025 Special Meeting minutes i. Motion - Brian Burkhart, 2nd - Michael Schulitz, all-in-favor 5. Reports from Ex-Officio Boards a. Planning Commission (Nick Criscitelli) i. Nothing to share b. Economic Development (Tom Earl) (Jami Lewchick on behalf of Tom) i. Last meeting of commission discussed McLean development: tree clearing, turtle habitat, etc. ii. Commission voted to delay vote until economic impact has been studied. Swap shop is closed for season 6. Old Business a. None 7. New Business a. Proposed amendments to 2026 goals i. Newsletter – acknowledge a full year effort a) Bayard noted all the different groups that supported the 2025 newsletter effort b) Jami proposed that the goal is amended to call out that there will continue to be a consistent cadence c) VOTE: all are in favor ii. Incorporate existing workstream of consulting with/ supporting BOEd/ DPW/ BoS on how they can achieve the solar goal endorsed in the Sustainability Plan Part 1: Energy a) Jami presented the new goal b) Bayard supported noting the multi-departmental support and continued effort to do so. c) VOTE: All are in favor iii. Include goal to have the Sustainability Plan Part 2: Waste endorsed by BoS by October 31st, 2026 a) Jami presented the goal b) Bayard asked how long Part 1 took a. Jami - several years to draft and gain town support mostly with work being done by prior committee members c) VOTE: All are in favor b. Jami reviewed an action to identify subject matter experts to lead draft of Sustainability Plan Part 2: Waste i. Jami called for volunteers a) Bayard offered to continue supporting the recycling effort but does not have the time to be the overall lead. c. Working group formation for building/ planning guidelines (public/ private) i. Jami reviewed the action and gave examples of large projects that this group would support a) Currently no organized guidance group b) Call for volunteers a. Bayard and Brian are both interested in being a part of the group. c) Nick Criscitelli suggested that the committee look into having the Asst Town Planner (Brittany MacGilpin) support the group. d. Kickoff work and volunteer recruitment for Sustainability Fair and Solar Charette i. Jami presented the goal ii. Bayard summarized prior key members who have supported the effort in the past iii. Jami spoke on behalf of Susan Van Kleef - she is interested iv. Lydia asked for some background on the Solar Charette. Jami outlined it. a) Goal is to publish report by EOY 2026 v. Jami added that a vote regarding the continuation of the Economic Development Commission may take place at the upcoming election cycle. vi. Lydia will lead the Solar Charette with Brian’s support vii. Bayard will continue to lead the Sustainability Fair 8. Open Forum a. Jami announced that Daniella Henry is stepping down as an At-Large member due to time constraints. b. Bayard encouraged the Committee to periodically have in-person meetings c. Bayard brought to the Committee’s attention that the solar array proposal (124 Old Farms Road) is a good example where the Sustainability Committee could get involved earlier in the process and provide support. d. Nick mentioned that the Town might be looking to have the transfer station support public waste disposal to help with animal related impact 9. Adjournment a. Motion – Bayard Faithful @ 7:27PM. 2nd - Brian Burkhart. All in favor.