HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-11 Climate Advisory Committee Minutes j , Town of Reading
gg Meeting Minutes RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
°' �•• READING, MW
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2019 JUL - I AM 11: 47
Climate Advisory Committee
Date: 2017-01-11 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Lower Level Conference Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: Bi-monthly meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
David Zeek, chair; Ray Porter, secretary; Laurie Ann Sylvia, member; Ron
D'Addario, member; Jeff Everson, associate member; Gretchen Latowsky
(member application pending);
Members - Not Present:
Gina Snyder, associate member;
Others Present:
None
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Ray Porter
Topics of Discussion:
Welcome to Members and Guests
Review minutes, vote on acceptance
12/14/2016 Minutes accepted as amended
Ongoing Business:
• RMLD Solar Choice Program
• Laurie Ann reported out on the status of the Solar Choice Program and
system wide solar installations.
• Two locations lined up in Wilmington. Waiting list of 55 people for the next
project.
• Interested in a site in Reading, but interested in building up waiting list.
• Reading gets rental income hosting a Solar Choice site. More savings can be
had if the Town used the electricity directly. Dave to discuss with Bob L. next
Wednesday.
• Promote success through Green Sense, press release and Facebook.
• Use "stickers" to promote Solar Choice at community events.
• RMLD Charging Stations
• Seeking grant funding from the DEP for a charging station(s) near the I-95 &
I-93 corridor. Laurie Ann to ask when the deadline for the grant is.
• Changes to Town building codes include an option for charging stations for
new construction.
• Purchase of new electric cars by Town can be obtained through State
procurement.
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Town of Reading-Meeting Minutes
• Status of Committee Website
• January 25th meeting at the Library where we can review the Facebook page
content.
• Features discussed about posting Green Sense articles and links to other sites
(Word Press).
• Event to be hosted at the new Library Space
• Ron arrange for the presentation January 19, 2017 (Thursday) at 7:00pm.
Video "Before the Flood" with Leonardo DiCaprio.
• Light refreshments (baked goods, coffee & tea, water) may be offered.
• Earth Day Planning- Location (Saturday, April 22)
• Dave was able to get the Gym at the Parker Middle School from 8:00am to
3:00pm. Ten 6-foot tables available, may need more tables. Direct access to
gym for loading/unloading.
• Booking groups is the next steps. Laurie Ann to distribute list of past
participants. Need companies for BioMass and ground source heat pump
(GSHP).
• Need to get a handle on any charges or fees. Talk with Bob L. about payment
of any fees.
• Possibly combine the bike swap (Reading Cares) (Ray to check with Betsy).
• Focus "Earth Day for a Sustainable Future", make flyer.
• Use of Plastic Bags
• Ron proposes to submit a letter to Town Meeting requesting that retailers
reduce the use of plastic bags. Ron to prepare draft proposal.
• Dave to send a link to the group seeking to ban plastic bags.
• Need to present to the Selectmen before town meeting.
• May need to have some discussion on the topic before the meeting.
• Food Waste Ban
• Wasted food in the food chain. Cafeteria food waste at schools is an issue.
• Reducing the volume of food waste is the first issue.
• Need to get more information.
• Action Items for RCAC (items carried forward)
• Revisit the Energy Services Company (ESCo) - to understand the progress on
the energy efficiency and reductions. Find who (Joe Huggins (781-942-5492))
in Reading is tracking this. - Ray
• Food waste management action may be relevant to business in Reading. Jeff
to follow up with Wellesley. Contact Health Inspector. - Jeff
• Reading Library home energy focus for future home tours. - Gretchen & Ron
• Reinvent our Green Award program (Green Business and Green Leader). -
Laurie Ann & Ron.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm
Next meeting 1-25-2017 at 7:00 pm at the Library.
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