HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-23 Climate Advisory Committee MinutesReading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program
Committee Notes for August 23rd, 2011. 7PM (Next Meeting - Wednesday, September 14th at Town
Hall)
Present: Ron D'Addario, Dave Williams, Joan Boegel, Tony Capobianco
Meeting opening - Laurie Sylvia introduced as RMLD liaison to committee. Each member provicVW brief
personal introduction. Ron will follow -up with town hall on adding Laurie as an associate member,,. Ro -�
will also need to confirm what needs to be submitted to our town selectman liaison. -0 ems °
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Minutes - Notes from August 10th meeting accepted. Minutes will need to be submitted to Town rC-- 'C
Clerk's office 10 days following completion of committee meeting. This could pose a problem 4We
meet every 2 °d and 4th Wednesday of each month. cn'
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Website:
Tony will work on bringing website current. He needs to contact town assistant town manager,
Bob LeLacheur.
Tree planting on South Main Street:
Tree planting is within the scope of the NEGF grant and the deadline for the $1500 grant is
September 15th. The current estimate for planting each tree is $300. Joan will provide the
narrative to submit the grant application. NEGF provides an annual summary of grants
awarded. If awarded, grant money would be available within January /February timeframe.
- Joan will email Michele regarding Michele's conversation with Camille about the town ad hoc
tree planting committee.
- Town focused on planting trees on South Main Street. Dries the town have a specific timeline
for planting these trees?
- Brainstorming ideas for tree planting:
o Tie tree planting into community action /education on efficiency measures.
o Derive system to generate points which would result in tree planted for person /group
who achieved goals determined by committee.
o Work with Mrs. Quackenbush at middle school to generate interest among students for
tree planting contest. Students could create a tree themed project, perhaps the
rainforest?
o Incentivize homeowners to implement efficiency measures. Jared from RMLD would
determine efficiencies gained through pre /post audit.
o Incentivize local businesses to implement efficiency measures. Jared from RMLD would
determine efficiencies gained through pre /post audit.
Memorial trees would be in addition to grant trees. Names would either be added to plaque in
town hall and /or published in local newspaper.
Need to work with the state if planting trees on sidewalk. Potential exists for bureaucratic
difficulties.
Water Bills:
Dave spoke with Janine (billing) at water department regarding changes to water bill. The
department is not averse to changing the billing format. Dave would need to speak with
someone a bit higher up in the water department to see about these changes. A potential
contact is assistant town manager, Bob LeLacheur (781)942 -6636.
- Can the department get information on water usage down to 1 /10`h of a gallon or 1 /loth of a
cubic foot?
Current request is to get bill in terms of gallons and also provide neighbor comparison
information to allow customers the ability to track their efficiency measures. To do so, simple
modifications to current calculation required.
Boston water department can drill down water usage to the cubic foot (7.5g).
Green Business Roundtable:
Ron hand delivered the flyer to Bill Crowley of the Reading Chamber of Commerce and emailed
a copy to Irene Collins. Ron followed up with Irene (had to re -send email) on her opinion of flyer
and also requested a few moments to present the flyer to a future Chamber meeting.
Jared from RMLD would determine measure of success when giving green business award based
upon energy consumed per square foot.
Ron presented the idea of having a similar roundtable of local restaurants to Jared but was
advised that could be very difficult due to the complex nature of restaurants and energy
consumption.
Electric Bills:
- Ron will present CCE roundtable information to RMLD board during their October meeting. In
addition, he will raise the idea of presenting neighbor comparisons provided on customer bills.
Mattera Cabin:
Cabin weatherization still to be completed. Joan left voice mail with Chuck Terrone (interim
conservation commissioner) about scheduling the weatherization event in the fall.
Greensense:
Ron would like to pose the discussion of expanding Greensense articles to include climate,
energy and efficiency topics that do not necessarily directly relate to Reading residents. A fuller
complement of meeting members is necessary for this discussion.