2015-12-09 Climate Advisory Committee Minutes

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Town of Reading a. Meeting Minutes \2 �� RLul'AD TOWN CLERK ` Board - Committee - Commission - Council: READING. Climate Advisor Committee A � 21 1 Advisory ,y JAN 26 Date: 2015 -12 -09 Time: 7:00 PM M Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Bi- monthly meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Joan Boegel, member; Ron D'Addario, member and chair; Gina Snyder, associate member; Ray Porter, member; David Zeek, member; Laurie Ann Sylvia, member. Members - Not Present: David Williams, associate member Others Present: JIII Appel, Jason Riley and Eric Collins from Direct Energy Solar, Jeff Everson Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Joan Boegel Topics of Discussion: • Solarize Reading proposal. Representatives from Direct Energy Solar presented a summary of their firms' experience and offered to bring a Solarize program to Reading. They talked about the history of community solar programs in Massachusetts and described how a Solarize program could work in a community served by a municipal light department. The Climate Advisory Committee's involvement would be required to promote the program to Reading residents. After their presentation and subsequent discussion, the Committee agreed to consider their proposal and make a decision. They left the meeting at 7:52 p.m. • Review and Approval of recent meeting minutes. The minutes of October 28th meeting were reviewed and approved as written. • Review of Climate Committee presentation at November 171° Board of Selectmen's meeting. David Zeek reported that it seemed Selectmen were willing to consider a motion supporting the gas leaks legislation. Town Manager Bob LeLacheur asked for examples of resolutions passed by other towns /clties. David sent these but Bob hasn't responded to David's emails. Gina noted that Selectman John Halsey was the one who expressed most interest and concern about the number of gas leaks in Reading. Next step - David will email John Halsey with copy to Barry Berman (Selectman liaison to Climate Advisory Committee) and Dan Ensminger (Chair, Board of Selectmen). • Senior Citizen's energy efficiency. Gina and Ron attended December 70 lunch and learn for Senior Citizens to discuss home energy audits and energy efficiency. It was not well attended, but Jane Burns recognized that there was some interest and enough enthusiasm to warrant going forward. Ron emailed contact at Reading Cooperative Bank and thinks that we should reach out to other banks, too. Gina stated that banks have grant programs with on -line applications. • Community Shared Solar. Gina noted that Tom 011ila has been out on jury duty, so there have been no meetings in the past month. Laurie Ann stated that she did not Page I 1 rona.m