03/15/2016

Five appointed to new, ad hoc Alternative Energy Committee

Five Cape Elizabeth residents have been appointed to a new, ad hoc Alternative Energy Committee, charged with exploring opportunities for providing alternative energy for municipal and school buildings and vehicles.

At their meeting March 14, 2016, town councilors approved the appointment of Wes Doane, James V. Masi, Laurenz Schmidt, Julia Bassett Schwerin and Richard W. (Rick) Smith.

Eighteen applied for a slot on the committee, said Councilor Patty Grennon, chair of the appointments subcommittee. "It was a very decision who to choose," said Grennon. "They were all passionate and incredibly smart and talented, with particular expertise in this field."

The committee's work product will be a report to the Town Council providing specific proposals and
cost estimates for using alternative energy. This includes use of town and school buildings and land for solar energy.

Grennon and subcommittee members Kathy Ray and Jamie Garvin said they were impressed by the number and caliber of those who applied. "I've never been on a committee where we were looking for committee members and had so many," said Ray. Garvin said, "It could not have been a more impressive group of people who came forward for this, and the sheer number of them as well, it was really gratifying to see the number of people expressing interest."

Terms expire Dec. 31, 2016, unless extended by the Town Council.