2008-08-27 Cities for Climate Protection Minutes

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August 27, 2008 Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program Committee Notes for August 27, 2008. 7PM (Next Meeting - Sep. 10ffi at Town Hall) Committee Mtg present were Michele Benson, Ron D'Addario, Gina Snyder, Joan Boegel, Ray Porter, Bing Xia, David Williams & Stephanie Anderberg. Meeting opening - Chair Michele Benson opened the meeting. Minutes - A motion was made and the previous meeting's minutes were approved. Action Plan items updates -Anti-idling materials will be going out soon. The next meeting with Pat is scheduled for Monday, Sept 8 at 5pm. We will finalize the press release at that time. We will also try to set up a photo opp with the new signage, and we need to find out if the anti-idling pledges will be sent out to all grades. Gina is working on getting the window clings printed. At the Selectmen's meeting on sidewalk infill, the policy was removed. Perhaps sidewalk requirements can go into zoning. A sidewalk bond may be on the next Town Meeting warrant. Bonding may be tougher in the future as other cities and towns have had fiscal issues. We may want to look into other ways to encourage sidewalks. Killiam & Wood End schools will start Suggested Routes to School this year, possibly with park & walk options. The committee discussed upcoming newspaper article topics/sequence, e.g. anti-idling and SRTS. David & Michele went to RMHS for the teachers' meeting, to hand out MassRIDES information. Pat mentioned MassRIDES and pointed them out to staff, so that as teachers left, David & Michele were able to hand out the info sheets. Pat plans to continue the media blitz through blogs and emails. We'll also need to let people know that we need to populate the database, so staff should put their info in now, even if they don't plan to start carpooling until later. We may want to help with wording these emails. Peter announced to Selectmen that we got the grant. They'll want to look at the shuttle route and we may want to do another presentation. Peter plans to ask a consultant to look at our suggested flex route. We discussed how to ensure success with only a coordinator, no committee. The discussion should go to subcommittee. Walkable Reading - Walkable Reading was asked to look at sidewalk/crosswalk needs in Reading, but their report doesn't seem to be getting any action. Climate committee may be able to help build momentum on these topics. Also, there are folks who would like to donate funds for a tree, often in memory of a loved one, but that will also need some help and logistics. There could be a Story Walk from parking areas into the tree lighting celebration, or we could copy other walking promotions such as the Belfast, Maine "find the `elf"'. Something could also be done with the shuttle bus at tree lighting, as a chance to introduce residents to the shuttle service. Review other Action Plan items - David attended a regional recycling coordinators' meeting at Covanta and updated them on our climate protection plan. People were interested that we have weekly newpaper articles and that we are looking at having an RCTV program. MassRecycle might be a good group for one or more of us to join. Other Business - None discussed. Immediately after this meeting, several committee members attended the Reading Municipal Light Board meeting where discussion included the energy efficiency position, which was recommended in our Action Plan.