HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-09 Climate Advisory Committee MinutesHOf4
-� Town of Reading
ai Meeting Minutes
RECEIVED
OWN CLERK
ADING. MASS.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Climate Advisory Committee 101) NOV -4 P 4; 24
Date: 2013 -10 -09 Time: 8:15 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Lower Level Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: semimonthly meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Joan Boegel, David Williams, Laurie Ann Sylvia, and Ron D'Addario
Members - Not Present:
Michele Benson, Gina Synder, Ray Porter
Others Present:
Michael Scola
Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Ronald M. D'Addario
Topics of Discussion:
Delayed and shortened meeting, beginning at 8:15 p.m. and lasting to 9:30 p.m. due to
several members having personal conflicts.
Minutes for September 25, 2013 were approved. Ron needs to ensure that they are in the
correct format provided by the town clerk and then to send the minutes to the clerk's office
for maintenance and availability.
Green Business Award (GBA)
On Thursday, September 26", David, Laurie Ann, and Ron met with Jordan's Furniture Store
Manager, Scott Wantman and Facilities Property Manager, Matthew Busnach. Members of
the climate committee were given a "behind the scenes" tour of the HVAC equipment
Including a walk on the roof of Jordan's Furniture building. After the visit, the committee
wrote an article listing the reasons why Jordan's deserves the Green Business Award.
After discussing the number of ways that Jordan's has reduced their energy expenditures
(the massive use of LED lighting) the committee voted unanimously to grant the Green
Business Award to Jordan's Furniture. Ron will ask thatlordan's rills out ouraoolication and
returns it to the committee
Ron stated that he had sent the committee article to Scott to ensure that no Inaccuracies
were present. Once the article is sound in its statements, the committee will set up a date
to present the award to Jordan's. According to Scott, Elliot is the face of Jordan's Furniture,
and he will more than likely receive the award.
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Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes
Town's Website
Gina submitted her answers to FAQs concerning our carbon footprint as well as an
explanation of global warming and its various associated terms. loan will Insert this
Information Into our town website space.
Dave also gave loan his links to our library for Information on global warming and its
associated terminology. loan will also Insert this information into our section of the town
website.
Ron still needs to submit answers to FAOS on the origin and our development of our climate
committee since our beginning in 2006.
Electric Auto Charging Station
Mike brought up a conversation on electric vehicles. Laurie Ann said that she would check
with the RMLD on the feasibUity of placina an electric battery charging station at the
Reading Depot for battery run vehicles
Green Apple Day of Service
Joan Indicated that she received a warm response from Home Depot in their willingness to
help the schools in their outdoor service projects. Andrea Bruno, teacher at Coolidge Middle
School, has decided to do a cleanup in the school courtyard as well as add plantings,
birdfeeders, and benches to the area. At the RMHS, the environmental club, under the
tutelage of Martha Moore, has decided to adopt a street island at the corner of Birch
Meadow Drive and Oakland Street. Home Depot will help with both activities.
loan has also contacted the Reading Garden Club to help the high schoolers with their street
island activity.
On October 191h, six members of Home Depot will visit to Coolidge Middle School to help
work on the school courtyard. Joan asked if any of the nmmittee members could ioin the
crew from Home D oot at 8,00 a.m. on Saturday. October 190. We are checking our
calendars. The crew will perform tasks not suitable for the school students
School Climate Change Education
After an exchange of several e- mails, Jessica Bailey, 10'° grade social studies teacher at
RMHS, agreed upon Friday, October 21" for our committee presentation on coal and fossil
fuels to her class. Ron hopes to have at least one to two committee members to work with
him on the presentation. He also plans to speak to Jessica prior W our visit.
Solar Workshop
Joan spoke well of the solar workshop she attended on September 26, 2013. It was
sponsored by the Massachusetts Area Planning Council (MAPC) and the National Association
of Regional Councils (NARC). Joan spoke to Jessie Wilson, Reading Town Planner, at the
meeting. loan discovered that as a municipal light department, Reading did not qualify for
the Solarize Mass program under the Clean Energy Council. The price for solar from a
residential solar developer is approximately $4.50 per kW; however, the more residents
who participate In the program the lower the cost per kW. This is known as tiered pricing.
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