2010-02-24 Climate Advisory Committee Minutes

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February 24, 2010 Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program Committee Notes for February 24, 2010. 7PM (Next Meeting - March 10 at Town Hall) Present were Ray Porter, Michele Benson, Tracy Sopchak, Gina Snyder, Ron D'Addario, Joan Boe el and Stephanie Anderberg.` Meeting opening -Chair Tracy Sopchak opened the meeting. Minutes - The minutes of the February 10 meeting were approved, with one correction: under NEGEF grant, the notes should be amended to say that the grant would NOT be retroactive ~ ?l ei exp n's v Other Business to add to agenda - a question about Parker Middle School. NEGEF Grant - the grant application was submitted and Joan received an acknowledgement right away. The acknowledgement noted that the reviewers might contact applicants with follow-up questions over the next several weeks. Our next step will be to find a contractor who will do the blower door tests for us. Ray noted that he has found a new potential contact for this, and will forward the information to committee members. He will also try to set up an appointment for interested committee members to make a site visit. Joan will go to NESEA for additional research. RMLB Presentation - the meeting was put on hold in order for Tracy to make a presentation to the Reading Municipal Light Board, updating them on our progress. After this, the meeting continued without Tracy. Action Item Yearly Goals Progress Updates - HEET: covered under NEGEF Grant, above. Green Sense: Fix-a-Leak Week is coming up so the Green Sense column is focused on water conservation for the moment. Earth Day Fair: Advertising is the next step. The committee talked about the event layout, and whether or not to have collection trailers (decided against). Ray met with Reading Cares to talk about logistics for the bike swap element, which has now been completely handed off to them. RCTV: the episode is online at RCTV.org. MassRIDES: there are upcoming efforts for Safe Routes to School Day in May, and whether/how to include employees on the one-day event as compared to the ongoing outreach to employees. The committee also talked about possibilities for school-based carpool matching for student families. Community no-idling campaign: the committee is going to the Board of Selectmen in March to update them on our progress in general and to ask them to make a declaration that Reading is a no-idling town. CCP, Benchmark update - no update. Municipal energy efficient buildings/ Green Communities: RMLD met with Peter and the other three RMLD towns and went over the three components of the Green Communities program. Energy efficiency money would not be available through Green Communities, so it would not apply in the cases the town had been considering. School climate change education: Ron D and Gina are visiting an RMHS current events class on March 5. There may be a possible follow-up visit on energy use, and he hopes to make contacts in the middle schools. Business 1-2-3 Pledge: a draft list of business measures was distributed for comment. Other Business - the question had been covered under School climate change education, above.