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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-29 Climate Advisory Committee Minutes- RECEIVED Meeting Minutes -TOWN CLERK February 29,2012 RUNDING. MASS. Reading Climate Advisory Committee 1011 APR -2 P 3*- 30 • Members and Guests in Attendance. Voting Members: Ron, Laurie Ann, and Joan. Tree Plaque Update: Ron reported that Peter H. presented Camille Anthony with the leaf for our tree plaque at the Selectmen's meeting on February 28 and she was very pleased with this token of appreciation for her service and the launching of the tree donation program. Special thanks to Michele and Gina for their hard work in making this happen Green Business Award: Laurie Ann had reformatted the draft program description and application, incorporating our new committee name and logo. Ron and Joan will review and we will try to get it finalized before the next committee meeting. There was some discussion and we agreed that the award criteria will be tailored to each unique business, based on audit recommendations and their commitment to take steps to reduce environmental footprint. Earth Day: Ron reported that he and Michelle met with John Feudo, Reading Recreation Director, at the Mattera Cabin on February 22. They determined that there is room inside the cabin for 7 or 8 tables, so we could invite 6 or 7 other town departments (Water Dept, Recycling), committees (Trails Committee, Conservation Commission) or groups (Walkable Reading) to have indoor displays. We'd like to ask the Trails Committee to lead short nature walks from the cabin, perhaps starting ever 30 minutes during the event. Ideally, we would like to have the Earth Day event on Saturday, April 28 (last weekend of school vacation week), but there is a Girl Scout event scheduled for that day at the cabin. Ron was waiting to hear back from John Feudo on whether that could be rescheduled. If we cannot get the cabin for April 28, we might have to move to April 21. Ron will begin inviting these groups to participate as soon as we have the date pinned down. We discussed what the Climate Committee could do for our own table display and agreed that we would focus on launching / promoting the Roots for the Future tree program and the Green Business Award. There was some discussion of whether food could be prepared and/or served at the cabin. Ron will clarify. Mattera Cabin Weatherization: Joan reported that she met briefly with John Feudo on February 27 to discuss the cabin weatherization project. John is happy to have the committee's help with weatherization. He noted that he pays the gas (propane) bills and they are high; the cabin is drafty. Joan asked if John could provide us with the heating bills and John agreed to do that. He also said that they don't have a programmable thermostat, so installing one to ensure that heat is turned down when the cabin is not in use would be very helpful. We will need to go back to the cabin to take some measurements and scope out tasks and material needs for the weatherization. We agreed to do that on Friday March 9 at 2:30 p.m. John will meet Joan and other interested committee members at that time. Following that, we will purchase materials (caulk, spray foam, etc.) at Home Depot using remaining NEGEF grant funds and solicit volunteers (probably 6 -12, max) for a weatherization work day. We agreed that a Saturday in March would be best — probably March 24 starting at 9 a.m. Ron stated that would be good timing, because it is just before our committee presentation to the Board of Selectmen, scheduled for March 27. Recycling Update: Ron reported that this project is on- going. Peter H. asked the bank if they would give up a parking spot for the recycling bin and he is awaiting their response. MARC Local Energy Action Plan grant. Ron reported that he and Gina met with Helen Aki from MAPC (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) as well as Jared Carpenter (RMLD) and Jessie Wilson (Reading Town Planner) regarding the Local Energy Action Plan grant which is to develop a baseline and plan for the 4 towns of RMLD. They will be looking for volunteers to participate. It isn't clear what is the next step and to what extent our committee might be involved. Bike Swap: Joan reported that she and a few other committee members (including Ray Porter) had received an e -mail from Betsy Schneider of Reading Cares regarding planning for another Bike Swap (3`d annual ?) this spring. She had forwarded the email to Ron. We agreed that the Committee should help but it would not make sense to do it in conjunction with our Earth Day event at the Mattera Cabin. The RMLD was an ideal location due to use of the garage for overnight bike storage and large parking lot for the bike swap. Timing could be later in early to mid May. Laurie will mention this possibility to Vinnie and Joan will respond to Betsy, inviting her to attend our next Committee meeting on March 14.