2006-07-26 Cities for Climate Protection Minutes

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July 26, 2006 Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program Committee Notes for July 26, 2006 Present were Michele Benson, Ron Daddario, Gina Snyder, Stephanie Anderberg, Tracy Sopchak, Steve Goldy (til 7:30), and Ray Porter. The minutes for July 12 were accepted unanimously. Ron, Steve and Peter Hechenbleikner discussed the grant. Ted McIntyre was also at the meeting to help identify ways to lower emissions. Retrofit of DPW trucks and trees along South Main are the possibilities as well as covering the extra part of the cost of a new vehicle if the Town gets a hybrid. DPW's Mike Halloran will be putting in a grant request for recycle bins for the train depot and possibly, at a later date, parks. Funding of $7500 to $25000 is available for waste reduction and for climate side. Earlier is better, for priority [AUG. 15]. Trees approximately $17500, will have to be part of larger scheme. Ron will take a first cut at Master glan and downtown renovations larger scheme, as well as walkable communities. By Aug. 7 . Hybrid cost differential would be about $7000. Maybe decals advertising the program could be included on the car. (Town would be replacing a car, would like a hybrid but they cost a lot more). Michele will check with the police chief on where they get their detailing (for decals) done. Follow up on Chamber of Commerce and Rotary for outline of a business program with 3 categories with one or two required actions and a couple of elective choices: Michele will follow up on a couple of Monday dates that work for Ray to speak to Rotary. Carol Hughes runs the chamber meetings. Outline includes our work on a 1-2-3 pledge for commerce, with outreach to the business community, and background of the committee. While the program isn't meant to be easy, it is meant to be a way to bring everyone in. There is a forum on August 16th on how to save energy and implement renewables. Steve Goldy is in touch with Sen. Tierny's office on the forum. Steve would like to.give Senator some background from Reading: Tracy offered to prepare some background info on our committee (when we started, our accomplishments and goals, and where we are going) for Steve to provide to the Senator's office. Website ideas: Commerce info, and info for Kids - to be continued. Peter also asked about the committee working on waste issues, since there is no longer a solid waste committee in town. We determined that that could reasonably be part of the work of the committee since waste is one of the three categories of the CCP program. Steve will look for the charge for the SW committee as an FYI for us. Tracy will put the commerce info in to the 1-2-3 format. Also the pledge will be advertised in library, town hall, RMLD and possibly REI (Dan to be asked) and Atlantic (Ron to check with Mr. Rubin). Will need pledge forms and boxes to collect. Michele has developed cool slides to go up on the RCTV bulletin board (Will include where people can go to sign up). Program for Schools and kids was discussed - such as have kids pledge. to save energy and have incentive that some of the saved go to kids, or to their schools. Perhaps in conjunction with a program for schools including PTO, anti-idling, and walk to schools. RMLD will be changing their 4"' grade program from electrical safety to conservation. Perhaps we can work with them. Michele will check with Priscilla Gottweil on the timing of the program. There is a long list of info that we are waiting for for the software program requirements. Committee looking for August 2nd to have Emily give a tutorial. 20 year time frame, where we'd be if nothing done, then there is growth, and then our target from the baseline. Committee may not be able to get year 2000 data for baseline, due to computer system changes. Emily also to look at other towns' plans for where their biggest uses were; offer again to help Joe pull data from town buildings. Ron to send out the Reading Green Transit idea previously discussed to Ben as chair of selectmen to get feedback. Then Ray could hand the one-pager out when he speaks at the Chamber /Rotary. Stephanie will check into how the Lexpress is funded. Park Place is on hold, no presentation planned; Dan had no info on the REI at the other mall.