HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-12 Climate Advisory Committee MinutesFq
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Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Climate Advisory Committee
Date: 2014 -03 -12
Building: Reading Town Hall
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Bi- monthly meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Time: 7:00 PM
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,OWN CLERK
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a14 APR 10 A 11: 49
Location: Lower Level Conference Room
Joan Boegel, member; Laurie Ann Sylvia, member; Gina Snyder, associate;
and Ron D'Addario, member
Members - Not Present:
Michele Benson, associate; and Ray Porter, member
Others Present:
Mike Scola, B.J. Finnell
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Ron D'Addario
Topics of Discussion:
• The minutes for February 26, 2014 were amended and approved.
Mike invited B.J. Finnell, External Affairs and Community Outreach person for Keolis
Commuter Services to our meeting; Keolis has won the contract to take over the
management of the commuter rail trains on July 1, 2014 for a minimum of 8 years
with two 2 -year extensions possible. They will not have control over the stations. [In
many cases, the MBTA is a tenant of the station.] B.J. said that Keolis would be
interested in sustainability events at the stations, but it would be through the MBTA.
He suggested that we see the sustainability page on MBTA website and contact the
MBTA sustainability manager. M to further investigate
the issue of sustainability and to make the Readinq Depot an example of
sustainability for the other stations to emulate. for
her edits prior to sending it to the sustainability manager.
Gina mentioned the main street corridor study. The study included the concept of
multimodality along the train corridor, e.g., a bike lane running the length of the
MBTA right of way along the commuter rail tracks from Reading to Wakefield and
Melrose. She noted that it would be a great pilot to have a bike trail through those
three communities; however, it may be difficult to traverse all the bridges on the
way to Boston.
Joan mentioned advertising at the depot. Can we disseminate public service
announcements by scrolling information on energy savings and emission reductions
due to the use of the train rather than the auto. She also mentioned a dashboard for
energy emissions that could also be displayed.
Mike mentioned that we could contact the state alternative energy coordinator, with
whom he recently spoke, to see what we might accomplish at the depot and whether
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any state funding is available. Mike mentioned LED lighting at the depot, possible off
the grid lighting, electric car charging stations; a scrolling marque with emissions
savings, waste reduction, single stream waste collection, and a solar canopy (with an
example from the Quonset Development Corporation) as further possibilities for the
Reading Depot.
• The Readin Cares' re resentative was not present at our meeting to discuss the
bike swap.
@QNVM We still need a date for the event. Laurie Ann reminded the committee that
once we have the date, to contact the Reading Light Department for their assistance
in providing a location for the bike swap.
The selectmen's presentation: Joan thinks the our presentation on Tuesday, March
18th starts at 7:45 .m. • however Ck
Our Adaptation report will be sent digitally to the
selectmen by the town manager. Ron brought a hard copy to the town hall for the
town manager who responded by e -mail that he has the report. Laurie Ann has
completed the PP for the committee. ouraged to
d the selectmen's meeting to support Joan and our committee.
R, Earth Day, The committee asked if Michele wou work on t ps
within the Mattera Cabin as she has done so admirably in the past. She sent our
Green Leadership Award for a Readingite to the committee for their suggestions on
the format. The committee will present the award to this person on Earth Day, April
5th 2014. Gina su ested that we give him the award at 11 a.m. end a
orma ' invitation noting tne
Gina suggested that we give him the award at 11a.m. I chec ails
com I nature walks at 11, 12, 9oan will let Ron know of
the walk time and Fa will publish another announcement to the newspapers with
If needed, Gina can lead a walk as she did last year. For our Earth
Day event, Gina will bring water, lemonade and coffee /coffee maker; Joan will bring
granola bars and fruit; Ron will bring a dozen bagels and cream cheese from bagel
world. Laurie Ann will bring in paper plates and cups. Joan will send a reminder to
exhibitors and ask that they bring a mug for coffee.
• Ron asked that all members bring bottle containers for bird feeders next meeting.
• Keystone XL library presentation was voted on and supported by the climate
committee. Ron and Ray will give the presentation at the Reading Public Library on
Wednesday, April 16th at 7 p.m.
Laurie Ann discussed a potential Green Business Award recipient, a hair salon owner.
Laurie Ann will follow up on it. The owner is a member of the chamber of commerce.
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