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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-13 Climate Advisory Committee Minutes� Orq Town of Reading _a Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Climate Advisory Committee 20ib MAY -9 P I: 24 Date: 2016 -04 -13 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Conference Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Bi- monthly meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Joan Boegel, member; Ron D'Addario, member and chair; David Zeek, member; Jeff Everson, associate member; Ray Porter, member; Laurie Ann Sylvia, member; Gina Snyder, associate member Members - Not Present: Others Present: David Williams Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Joan Boegel Topics of Discussion: Review and Approval of Meeting Minutes. o Minutes of the March 23 meeting were reviewed and approved with one revision. Review of Brad Jones Meeting — March 29 • David Zeek gave a brief summary of the March 29th meeting with State Representative Brad Jones. Approximately twenty people attended, including Town Manager Bob LeLacheur and several Climate Advisory Committee meeting members. The Town Manager directed that David Zeek's written summary of the meeting be included in the Board of Selectmen's packet for their April 5 meeting. • Two topics were discussed 1) The Solar Bills (subsequently resolved) 2) Early insight into the Energy Omnibus Bill and future of Massachusetts energy sources given nuclear, coal and oil power plants coming off -line. • Ron reported that RMLD Board Chair David Talbot was unable to attend the Brad Jones meeting, but Invited Ron to attend a future Board meeting to discuss energy issues. Ron requested that David Zeek and Jeff Everson meet with him informally to prepare for this RMLD Board meeting. Gina noted that the RMLD Board can set policy. David Zeek said that he would like to see the Board adopt a policy of actively supporting solar electricity generation. • Earth Day - Saturday, April 23 o Laurie Ann reviewed the list of confirmed exhibitors. We still do not have solar thermal, geothermal or pellet stove exhibits. Ron offered to call Stove King from Medford and to accept Ford's offer to display a hybrid vehicle without a sales person. Page 1 1 m.,aom Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Publicity - Gina's press release was printed on the front page of local newspapers. She will write a second press release focusing on the Tesla electric vehicle that will be shown at Earth Day. Committee members volunteered to bring food and beverages for the exhibitors. • Bagels, cream cheese, 1 lb bag of coffee - Ron • Granola bars, tea bags - Laurie Ann • Fruit, half & half - Joan • Juice - Gina c Set up. Laurie Ann and Michele Benson will set up tables at RMLD on Friday afternoon. Committee members need to arrive at 9 a.m. Saturday to help exhibitors with set up prior to start of Fair at 10 a.m. Bike Swap Event • Bike Swap date has been set for Saturday, May 14, with bike donations accepted Friday, May 13. • There is a potential problem due to new RMLD liability insurance requirements. It may be necessary for the Reading Climate Advisory Committee to officially host the event with Reading Cares so that the insurance concern is covered by the Town. The Committee voted to host the May 13 -14 Bike Swap event if needed for liability insurance coverage. Future Meetings • RMLD Board Meeting - possibly May 12 or 19 at 7:30 p.m. Ron, Jeff and David Zeek will attend. • RCN "Meet Your Committees Night" - May 11 at 7:15 p.m. (during a regular Wednesday Climate Advisory Committee meeting). Gina and David Zeek will represent the Committee. • Presentation to Board of Selectmen - May 17 • We will have 15 minutes • Presentation will include photos from Brad Jones meeting, Earth Day Fair, December Senior Citizen event with RMLD • Accomplishments include gas leaks resolution - thank BoS for approving • We can talk a little bit about future update of Action Plan and solicit Selectmen's input • Jeff stated that he hopes to be able to contribute to the plan based on what he will learn at two events he will attend soon - Brookline Climate Week and the Babson Energy Conference. • Website • Town website software is in process of update. Paula Schena can revise names and positions of Committee members on the website and will Inform us when software update Is completed. • Jeff Everson will take over role of webmaster for the Climate Advisory Committee. Ideas for Action Plan • Jeff Everson reported that he recently attended two events - Brookline Climate Week and the Babson Energy Conference. He also connected with a Belmont Citizen who was involved in that community's solar energy initiatives. Jeff requested half an hour at a future Climate Advisory Committee meeting to discuss learnings from these events and ideas for Reading's Climate Action Plan in detail. • Ron agreed to give Jeff this time on a future meeting agenda. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Page 1 2