HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-10 Climate Advisory Committee MinutesReading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program
Committee Notes for August 10th, 2011. 713M (Next Meeting — Tuesday, August 23rd at Town Hall)
Present: Ron D'Addario, Ray Porter, Dave Williams, Joan Boegel, Tony Capobianco, Michele Benson,
Gina Snyder, Laurie Sylvia
Meeting opening— Laurie Sylvia introduced as RMLD liaison to committee. Each member provided brief
personal introduction. Ron will follow -up with town hall on adding Laurie as an associate member. Ron
will also need to confirm what needs to be submitted to our town selectman liaison.
Minutes - Notes from July 27th meeting accepted.
Website:
Tony will work on bringing website current. He needs to contact town webmaster, Bob LeLacheur.
Green Business Roundtable:
Ron provides an overview of the green business roundtable held at Reading COOP:
- Discussion of edits to pamphlet. Ron is looking to deliver the pamphlet quickly to Irene Collins
of Reading Chamber of Commerce. Ron will forward the pamphlet to Jared for final audit prior
to Chamber submission.
• Michele would like to provide an achievable goal for business energy savings in order to
gauge efficiency. Efficiency measure would be determined by Jared of RMLD, if called
upon. In the past, RMLD has funded a plaque commemorating efficiency efforts.
• Should local businesses work with whomever awarded plaque to the COOP?
RideShare: MassRides
- Michele is seeking an appointment with John Doherty to review past activities performed with
the past superintendant.
• Reading still member of MassRides program.
• Michele looking for best method to get information out to teachers.
Tree planting on South Main Street:
- Michele would like to speak with Gina about working with Camille & Mary Ellen regarding ad
hoc group dedicated to tree plantings throughout town.
o , Peter budgets $3500 /year for trees.
o Ray would like to submit proposal for $1500 grant, resulting in 5 new trees to attract,
residents to execute energy efficiency improvements. Joan will determine whether this
would be a viable idea for New England Grassroots Environmental Fund (NEGEF) grant,
confirm our eligibility and find out next application due date.
o Resident pledges for efficiency projects could generate points towards tree planting.
Water Bills:
- ` Ron spoke with Mike regarding municipal water bills.
o Dave will follow up with MWRA on alternate billing formats. This will make the bills
readable and allow consumer to view incremental water savings compared to average
household. Present alternative is to have bills list gallons consumed versus cubic feet.
Electric Bills:
Idea to have average electric consumption neighbor comparison listed on RMLD bill.
o RMLD customer will need to present this idea to the RMLD board. Motion held and
passed unanimously that Ron will present to RMLD board. Ron will provide a one page
handout for board members. Needs to be in to Jeanne Fonti one week prior to meeting.
• The idea is to get zip code energy comparisons (using residential code following
town zip code).
• Michele indicates this is a highly effective method of reducing energy
consumption.
• What defines an energy efficient house?
Action Plan: Utilized by committee chair as reference document.
- A one -year action plan is under discussion. Michele will condense existing plan listing current
projects which will comprise plan.
Committee contacts:
- Gina will email out list of current committee members contact information. Members will
update list as necessary.
Selectman presentation:
- Ron contacted Peter inquiring if goals and mission statement require selectman approval. Peter
did not feel this was the case.
- Ron will report committee activities to board; mission statement; name change (Climate Energy
and Efficiency).
- The committee is scheduled to sunset in June 2012 if not extended by Board of Selectman.
Need selectman approval to continue. A presentation /slideshow will be helpful to the cause.