2006-10-11 Cities for Climate Protection Minutes

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October 11, 2006 Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program Committee Notes for Oct. 11, 2006 (Next Meeting - Special October 18 on Change a Light Campaign) Present were Ron Daddario, Michele Benson, Stephanie Anderberg, Gina Snyder, Dan Blodgett and Ray Porter and guest Joan Boegel The minutes for Sept. 27 were accepted unanimously. Chamber of Commerce presentation this morning (Oct. 114) went well. Committee members that were present also met a distributor for Shaklee products, a climate neutral company (possible tie in with committee). Data results are in: Bar graphs show that transportation sector (with I-93 and I-95/128 taken out) is now at 62% of emissions. Michele will ask ICELI software folks about how to handle Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and if other communities have the same large imprint of transportation (a number of articles indicate a general 30- 30-30% split among buildings/transportation/food-waste categories, rather than what we are seeing with almost 2/3 of emissions being transportation.) Discussions noted that this may point to a need for campaigns on using cars less frequently, encouraging the purchase of cars with better mileage and/or anti-idling campaign. Some major questions: 1) how can we measure whether we are making a difference if we are relying on a state database and VMT; 2) are vehicles counted multiple times because of how the highways (e.g., 28 and 129) are segmented; 3) if the bulk of the emissions are because Reading is a cut-through community (commuters passing: through from other towns) how can we influence it? We will have a special meeting on results - next meeting Oct. 25 h [as of Oct 11 next meeting was Oct. 25~', but see below] can be at RMLD for going over the results. Stephanie has prepared an order for more bags for Thanksgiving Tree Lighting - Ron indicated that we will be allowed to have a "table" for our committee near the trees near Town Hall where we will have an LED lighting display (Peter okayed two trees for LED lights and suggested three trees by the Methodist church that aren't lit by the Chamber of Commerce tree lights as possibly more additional locations). Stephanie will check on - ,funds and order bags and lights. Ron will check on funds available and size of lights (2 inch or 1 fi inch). Joan Boegel joined the meeting with some information on school activities with the MA Envirothon, a High School contest that occurs each May with MA agencies: EOEA, DEP and DCR. Environmental Science topics include Wildlife, Soils, Water Quality, and Forestry. Each year has a special topic, this year issue is energy conservation and renewable energy. Students need real numbers. Joan has tried to get interest from RMHS and Austin Prep; a teacher is interested at Austin Prep. Ron offered to go with Joan to Talk with Pat Schettin.L.(other committee members who are available will go as well, depending on when Joan is able to get a meeting time). Also, we could ask about school recycling programs. We will not make decisions via email, we came close to doing this last week. Dan reviewed the literature and he will be our reminder. The latest Green Sense column is on the UCS report of Northeast climate change effects. However, Ron indicated that if the Change a Light Campaign is a `go', then he may change the column direction to announce the contest - he'll check with Peter. (Committee members please refer to emails from Natalie Hildt from Senator Tierney's staff, on is attached below). The Gantt chart shows that we are a little behind where we wanted to be on the milestones at this point. Ray indicated that he can modify it as needed. Our meeting of Oct 25 h will go over the results for finalizing the first milestone, and then look ahead to milestone #2 and what we need to do as part of that milestone. Ron asked if Michele would present to Town Meeting in November, and the committee will have a couple meetings prior to November 14'h to determine what the presentation will include. If not Michele, then Ray may present.We want to be confident in our baseline prior to then. Following that we need use the growth forecasting capability of the software for our target year of 2012. The target presentation should be given to selectmen in November if possible. Not much discussion of the tree for the Festival of Trees, but Gina has ordered some LED lights. Ron confirmed holiday dessert party, Dec. 1' 7 PM; the day before the Festival of Trees. MCAN is hosting a conference at MIT on November 19th. There is a series at MIT each of the next three Wednesdays, but we have meetings two of the three. Change a Light Campaign is now confirmed, special meeting Oct. 18th at Town Hall to review our campaign.