2006-06-28 Cities for Climate Protection Minutes

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June 28, 2006 Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program Committee Notes for June 28, 2006 Present were Stephanie Anderberg, Michele Benson, Ron Daddario, Gina Snyder, Dan Blodgett, Emily Kumpel, and Tracy Sopchak. The minutes for June 14 were accepted unanimously. Michele and Emily provided a summary of the progress of the data gathering for the CCP software. They have made contact with some town departments but it is slow going to get useful information. The schools have a key role because they are in charge of all town facilities. Michele has spoken with the secretary to the Maintenance Facilities Manager, Joe Huggins, and June 20°i sent a letter asking for the data on energy use for 2000. They have not responded to an offer to have Emily go to the department to help gather the data. Michele will follow up on this again. KeySpan is still developing a query, but getting data from them shouldn't be a problem, it's just a matter of waiting for the information. The DPW was not able to provide much information except total tons of waste. Michele will try to contact Ted McIntyre in person and we may try to contact the Town's waste contractor and get the numbers from the other direction, particularly recycling numbers. No information was provided on the town fleet, but this might be under Joe Huggins, the structure isn't entirely clear. The committee discussed developing a target year and percentage as soon as possible to bring to the selectmen. The year 2012 was discussed along with the concept of 10 or 15 % reduction from 2000 levels. We noted that we will need to collect this data every year. And we need to develop a relation with the schools because they have such a big effect on town energy use, car traffic and idling at drop off and pick up as well as the interest of Superintendent Pat Schettini expressed at an earlier RMLD Board meeting. The school department also has much of the town data. Reading Municipal Light was given the go-ahead to purchase Green Power RECs at the Board meeting on July 21. RECs are Renewable Energy Certificates. This program will probably be running by the fall and the committee plans to assist RMLD in advertising. RECs are certificates for green power, but don't actually buy green power because there isn't enough. The program is heavily regulated by the state, and should result in development of more green power with the extra money for it demonstrating interest and willingness on the part of the public to pay. Park Place, the Lifestyle Mall proponents pulled out of the eet with the committee. The committee decided to request that they develop to LEED standard . an indi ted that there is an REI at the Hingha Mall and he will ask the manager there for detai energy costs, and whether the mall meets ED design andards in any way, if she might know. e committee was asked by the Board of Selectmen to develop a poster display on how the Town is doing on the pledge after our highly successful pledge amounts on Reading Town Day, June 17. Tracy will work with Kim Honetschlager to develop a poster as recommended by Camille Anthony and Ron will talk to the library about doing a display there too. Ron has signed up to attend the July 18 session for the MADEP grants for Solid Waste and CCP cities. He will ask whether we are eligible for only a single $25,000 or for both solid waste and energy conservation, so that we might develop proposals for two grants of up to $25,000. Peter is still interested in a grant for trees on South Main Street. The committee would assist getting property owner's permission for the Trees in cases where they would be on private property. Peter reported a couple property owners were enthused by the idea. Gina will take a first cut at a plan that would be necessary to apply for a CCP grant. Also, the possibility for grants from REI was discussed. The understanding is that REI provides grants for projects that have a nexus with their business, such as bike paths or canoe launch siting. The Walkable Communities outreach session, walk and brainstorm session was also at Town Hall earlier in the day. Ron, Gina and Dan attended. The outcome was. that Dan Blodgett's father was nominated to develop an informal committee to address the many issues that came up. The committee asked Dan to let his father know that we're available to help with projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The committee decided that we do not have hand outs and are not ready to do any outreach at the July 3 North Reading Ipswich River Park event over the holiday. We felt we'd be better off waiting until next year when we would be more prepared and have more experience with the CCP program. August 50' for cookout at Ron's. Next meeting July 12