2015-10-14 Climate Advisory Committee Minutes

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Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes • Ron spoke with a state senator, James Eldridge, a sponsor of the gas leaks bill who was in attendance. Ron asked whether it makes a difference for towns to pass resolutions In support. He replied "absolutely yes." He highly recommends this practice and said it helps the legislature pass laws. • Ron suggested that we need to make a date to meet with Selectmen. He will contact the Assistant Town Manager to schedule that. • Gina said that Selectmen were clear they don't want to set a precedent of passing resolutions on state legislation. We might consider asking Selectmen to support a letter of support from the Reading Climate Advisory Committee. • David Zeek stated that the city of Boston passed a resolution supporting the legislation, bringing the number of cities and towns that have done so to seven (7). • The TUE (Telecom, Utilities and Energy) committee of the state legislature will meet specifically regarding gas leaks legislation on November 17, so we want to have discussion with BoS before that date. • Senior Citizen Initiative. o Gina reported on recent meeting with Jane Burns, Jean Delios and John Feudo regarding this proposed program. Ron had also attended. • They see this program as valuable but are concerned about workload for lane, who is a part-time employee. • Council on Aging is also concerned about the Income -based element of grant program. They do not want to deal with money. • There are also concerns about liability and making sure that BoS is ® informed. • They suggested that Climate Advisory Committee should give LED light bulbs to seniors and hold a discussion about the possibility of the program. • Next step. Ron and Gina will attend Council on Aging meeting on Monday, October 19. We will talk to RMLD about doing a lunch -time outreach event at the Senior Center, probably in December. 350.org event • Ron reported that about 50 people from all over attended the 350.Org workshop at St. Agnes in Reading on Saturday, September 26. This is an initiative that Ron is doing, not part of our committee. • There Is a planning meeting scheduled for week of 10/19 to plan a community outreach event to publicize the upcoming Paris Climate Convention, possibly handing out Information at local Thanksgiving high school football games. Ron will contact Town Manager to ask what the group can do on or near school grounds. • Papal Encyclical on Environment o Ron is scheduled to lead discussion of papal encyclical regarding Climate Change at the Library on December S. Library has agreed to buy the books. o St. Agnes Book Club will hold a discussion of the encyclical on November 21st, 10 a.m. at Parish Center. • Business Paper Recycling o The bin Is getting lots of use. JRM is now picking up twice weekly, Tuesday and Thursday. o Ron visited the new CVS Store Manager and informed him about the paper recycling bin. Page 1 2 mv.o.oe