HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-18 Board of Selectmen HandoutTOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
♦ We have gotten proposals to replace the American Flag on the common. The flag came down in
a severe windstorm, and we need a steeplejack to replace it. The community response was
excellent.
♦ We have received an updated Historical inventory from the Historical Commission
♦ We have received 2 donations for the playground at Memorial Park. These donations combined
with Town funds will allow us to move forward with this project, hopefully to be completed this fall.
♦ In the draft State Supplemental budget is an additional $325,000 funding for Franklin Street
sidewalks and $200,000 in matching funds for recreation improvements.
* The Town has long sought the position of a School Resource Officer, and the School Committee
recently voted to support such a position at the Subsequent Town Meeting.
* Verizon Wireless Store is holding a ribbon cutting at their new store on Walkers Brook Drive –
Thursday, at 1:30.
* Reading's application for the MWRA supplemental water buy-in is scheduled for action on October
20 at the MWRA Advisory Board, and then on November — for the MWRA Board.
+ The RPD will be running an Auto Glass etching program to deter auto theft – DPW Garage –
October 22, 9 am to 1 PM
* The annual Halloween parade is October 23.
* Household Hazardous Waste Collection – Wakefield High October 29, 8:30 am to 12 noon
* Overnight parking ban starts November 1
♦ The Police Department is making a Reverse 911 call to the community re: car breaks.
♦ There was a South Main Street utility pole down across part of Main Street yesterday morning.
There was a full response from all Town Departments and the issue was resolved before rush
hour.
+ "Farmers Market "Tuesday at Rotary Square through October. 2 to 6 PM
* Road reconstruction on Berkley, Gleason, and Greenwood – hopefully beginning next week.
%J
October 25, 2005
7:00
Adopt an Island Reception - Sr. Ctr.
7:00
Traffic Issues - Avalon Stop sign
7:45
Review Wood End School area operation
8:15
Report of lighting consultant - Jordan's
9:00
Review Town Meeting warrant
Review action status reports
November 1, 2005
7:00
OFFICE HOURS - Ben Tafoya
a
6:30
Highlights
snow plowing
7:30
lFollow -up on Dangerous Dogs
%J
Hearing
No parking on north side of Melbourne between Summer and
Buckingham
Review Memorial Park - status of contacting heirs
Consideration of a band stand at Town Hail
Hearing
Board of Selectmen policies 5 and 6, and Affordable Housing local
preference
November 7, 2005- Verizon Hearing?
November 8, 2005
7:00
Hearing
Tax Classification
7:30
Discussion - Siting of Water Treatment Plant
8:00
November 14, 2005 -- TOWN MEETING
11/15/2005 WORKSHOP MEETING
7:00
Addison Wesley Traffic Presentation
7:30
Discussion on dangerous dogs
November 17, 2005 -TOWN MEETING ;.
November 21, 2005 - TOWN MEETING .
d
Page I of 1
HechenblefteK, Peter
From: Cormier, Jinn
Sent: Tueaday, October 18, 20059:30 AM
To: Hechenbleikner, Peter
The school comm. meeting went well. They voted unanimously to support the 1/2 year inbtiativain Nov. otTown
Meeting.
VVe are sending out aR-S11 message re: car breaks. We've had a rash of them all unlocked, we're reminding
people to lock their cars. VVe started ityesterday. | received some positive feedback last night at the meeting re:
this, |f you get any comments, pos. or neg. please let rneknow.
Jimmy
I[/l8/2005
Page 1 of 1
Hechenblefter, Peter
From: Wendy Bulawa [ wendy @thomsoncommunications.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 11:46 AM
To: Camille Anthony forwading account; James Bonazoli forwarding account; jduffy @ci.reading.ma.us;
btafoya @ci.reading.ma.us; Rick Schubert Multiple Addresses
Cc: Reading - Selectmen
Subject: Ribbon Cutting - Reading
Good morning:
I'm sending this email as a follow up to a letter sent early last week inviting members from the Town of
Reading Board of Selectmen to attend the official ribbon cutting /grand opening of the new Verizon
Wireless store in Reading.
The company has opened doors to a new retail location at The Crossings at Walkers Brook; 44 Walkers
Brook Drive (adjacent to Home Depot and Jordan's Furniture) and this Thursday, October 20th, will be
cutting the ribbon to celebrate!
Sandra Brettschneider, Verizon Wireless District Manager will be on hand, and through Verizon Wireless'
corporate philanthropic program HopeLine, a donation of cash will be given to the Reading Police Department in
support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Chief James Cormier will be in attendance.
Again, we wanted to invite members from the Selectmen's office to attend if schedules permit so that we may
introduce you to our new Reading store manager, Taylor Bunnell and her team. We are excited to become a part
of the Reading community, and hope to see you on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. for the ribbon cutting.
If you need to reach me with additional questions or to RSVP, please contact me at 617.851.3426 or via email at
wendy @thomsoncommunications.com.
Regards, Wendy
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Wendy Bulawa
- - -for VERIZON WIRELESS New England
617 -851 -3426
wendy@thomsoncommunications.com
thomsoncommunications.com
www.verizonwireless.com
10/18/2005
Page 1 of 2
Hechenbleikner, Peter
From: cnj4@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 11:07 AM
To: Luisa.Paiewonsky@state.ma.us; Bob. Frey@state.ma. us; jcorey@ci.woburn.ma.us;
rick.marquis@fhwa.dot.gov; Schubert, Rick; canthony@cdmtitle.com; jebarnes@mit.edu; bruen-n-
bruen@comcast.net; rep. paulcasey@hou.state. ma. us; dac@cummings.com;
jcurran@ci.woburn.ma.us; rnrchambercom@aol.com; Ian. Durrant@state.ma.us;
rep. mikefesta @hou. state.ma.0 s; jgallagher@mapc.org; mgailerani@ci.stoneham.ma.us;
rgrover@ci.stoneham.ma.us; ehamblin@aol.com; rhavern@senate.state.ma.us;
rep.bradleyjones@hou.state.ma.us; g-r@comcast.net; anthonykennedy@comcast.net;
akinsman@aaasne.com; cleiner@massport.com; woburnbusiness@earthlink.net;
pau Iderman @prodigy. net; andy.mofter@fta.dot.gov; rep. patricknatale@hou.state. ma.us;
maureen@northsuburbanchamber.com; sueandmikes@comcast.net; psodano@stonesay.com;
rstinson@wakefield.ma.us; dansuilivan@assetleasing.com; etarallo@ci.woburn.ma.us;
rtisei@senate.state.ma.us; billwhome@juno.com; swoelfel@mbta.com
Cc: jbiaustein@mapc.org; mary.burggraff@hou.state.ma.us; melissa.Gallan@hou.state.ma.us;
tricia@lynchassociates.net; dcooke@vhb.com; ddizoglio@mbta.com; mdraisen@mapc.org;
Margaret.Dwyer@state.ma.us; Adriel.Edwards@state.ma.us; rflorino@ci.stoneham.ma.us;
Joshua. G rzegorzewski@fhwa.d ot.gov; Town Manager; Michael. Lindstrom@ state. ma.us;
blucas@mapc.org; elutz@hshassoc.com; amckinnon@hshassoc.com;
John. Mcvann@fhwa.dot.gov; Kenneth. Miller@state.ma.us; carmen.o'rourke@hou.state.ma.us;
jpurdy@louisberger.com; Reilly, Chris; wschwartz@neighborhoodamerica.com;
kstein@hshassoc.com; Tafoya, Ben; frederick.vanmagness@hou.state.ma.us;
mossywood@juno.com
Subject: TERMINATION OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY
Commissioner Luisa Paiewonsky, Manager Bob Frey:
It occurred to me recently that no one bothered to define what is meant by "feasibility" (i.e., after 15 Task Force
meetings). I sought to remedy that deficiency with a working definition of "feasibility" in my email sent to you on
10/12/05. That email with its attachment showed that this current feasibility study cannot demonstrate
"feasibility" because you have provided no engineering methods to compare cost versus benefits regarding
accident reduction and congestion mitigation for a given redesigned interchange. That is highly regrettable given
the 8 years and at least $lM allotted by the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) to the interchange
studies.
Looking at the agenda for tomorrow's Task Force meeting, I noticed that you have not given me the 20 minutes
that I requested in order to explain my recent papers regarding the definition of "feasibility" and related
implications for this project. Your agenda conveys the impression that you are attempting to ignore this thorny
issue of "feasibility" and push on with your "solutions." You also refer to my work as mere ITF correspondence.
Thank you for the professional courtesy.
Unless someone has a compelling suggestion to the contrary (complete with references), I strongly urge my
colleagues on the Task Force to VOTE to terminate this second feasibility study. This study is fatally flawed. If
you insist on going forward with a study having no redeeming value, then be prepared to defend it during the
forthcoming public meetings. Members in the audience will ask tough questions (Trust ine-this will happen).
In the event that you decide to terminate this study, then you may want to consider an alternative program that
offers a clear path to address all the objectives that I have raised. A preliminary description of that program is
attached. It also includes a program kick off workshop with several nationally recognized experts in the fields of
accident reduction and congestion mitigation.
I hasten to point out that neither the first nor the second feasibility studies ever solicited input from such
10/18/2005
Page 2 of 2
nationally recognized experts. During my involvement in these feasibility studies, I have never once encountered
even one technical paper written by MHD staff on accident reduction or congestion mitigation. (Would you care
to check my file boxes of papers and reports ?) This morning, I examined the LBG proposal from December 19,
2003 and noticed that none of the principal engineers ever worked on a major interchange. It's about time that
significant engineering expertise is applied to this program. After all, public safety is worth it, isn't it?
Regards, Jeff
Jeffrey H. Everson, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Member: PRESERVE, I93/95 Task Force
21 Pine Ridge Circle, Reading, MA 01867
781 - 944 -3632 (home); 781 - 684 -4247 (work); cnj4 @aol.com
10/18/2005
Third Feasibility Study of the I93/95 Interchange
October 19, 2005
This document represents a "work in progress" effort on my part to convince the 193/95 Task
Force that the second feasibility study is fatally flawed and that a follow -on study is required to
rectify the serious deficiencies of this second feasibility study. After 15 meetings spanning a
couple of years, I am certain that we are all quite tired of this entire "process." However, since the
Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) has unlimited time (8 years) and money (at least
$1M) for this study "process," it is not too much too ask that the interchange and connecting
highways be examined as to the nature of the "real problems."
The rest of this document offers a path that will optimize both accident reduction and congestion
mitigation for the 193/95 interchange and connecting highways extending far enough beyond the
interchange so that a truly regional solution can be implemented. The vision for this path will be
provided by several of the nation's leading experts on transportation safety and traffic flow. The
MHD has never included them in either the first or the second feasibility studies. There is no way
that the second feasibility study can develop a regional solution based on the myopic focus
provided by the current use of the micro simulation software package (CORSIM).
Reasons for a Third Feasibility Study: The second feasibility study (September 2002 —
October 2005) is unable to estimate a numerical reduction in accidents for a given redesign of the
interchange because the MHD has no methods to make this estimation. An estimate of the
numerical reduction in accidents could be translated into a dollar value and compared with the
cost to design, build and maintain a modified interchange. Similarly, the MM has no method to
estimate a reduction in travel time from home to office for a typical commuter. A reduction in
time could be converted into a dollar value and compared with the cost to design, build and
maintain a modified interchange.
Given these serious deficiencies in study approach by the MHD, this second "feasibility" study is
unable to demonstrate feasibility. Consequently, the 193/95 Task Force will be unable to come to
consensus on which alternative interchange design makes sense in terms of benefits versus cost.
Thus, the Task Force is deprived of any meaningful work and, therefore, this second feasibility
study should be terminated immediately. The first feasibility study of the 193/95 interchange
suffered from the same study defects and was suspended by Commissioner Cogliano due to a
major community protest on the egregious use of eminent domain by the MHD affecting
approximately 90 homes in the vicinity of the interchange.
Outline of the Third Feasibility Study: The third feasibility study will have the following goals:
GOALS
• Define a study that includes the 193/95 interchange and connecting roadways to an
extent where these connecting roadways no longer influence the interchange and vice
versa.
• Reduce accidents to a level consistent with traffic volume traversing a redesigned
interchange
• Decrease travel time for a typical commuter traveling from home -to- office such that this
decrease will be consistent and noticeable by commuters.
• Develop modified interchange designs and connecting roadway links as needed by
considering the effects of accident reduction and congestion mitigation simultaneously.
• Develop interchange and highway modifications with regard to sustainability in
conjunction with other transportation modes, such as transit and rail. (i.e., Sustainability
refers to the well known notion, "If you build it, they will come. ")
The third feasibility study will sustain the following objectives:
OBJECTIVES
Accident Data Issues
Determine the usefulness of accident data gathered from 2002 onward.
Determine the extent to which accident data can have missing elements and still be useful
for a feasibility study.
Incorporate changes, if any, to the third feasibility study according to a ruling from the
Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding the alleged fraudulent use of accident data
known by the MHD to be worthless during the first and second feasibility studies.
Estimation of Accident Reduction Percentage
Develop analysis tools to estimate accident reduction percentages based on proposed
redesigned interchange /highways.
Traffic Flow Simulation
• Develop and/or modify software to replicate traffic flow through the interchange and
along connecting roadways consistent with the defined study area.
• Use software to replicate traffic flow to determine estimated travel reduction time, if any,
for a typical commuter traversing a redesigned interchange from home to office.
Impacts of both Accident Reduction and Traffic Flow Improvement
Develop a procedure to iterate the use of accident reduction prediction software with
macro /micro traffic flow simulation software for a given proposed interchange design
(i.e., address the problem of accidents and traffic flow in tandem).
Develop a method to compare accident reduction benefits and travel time savings benefits
for a given redesigned interchange/highway modification versus the cost to design build
and maintain a modified interchange/highway segment.
Mitigating Impacts due to Rail and Transit
• Determine how the effects of a redesigned interchange /highway segment could be made
less severe by offsetting affects due to transit or rail services.
The third feasibility study will be divided into the three phases:
PHASE I
Purpose: assess several engineering analysis methods to estimate accident reduction percentages,
traffic flow (both on a small and large scale), cost comparison methods of proposed alternative
interchange/highway designs, and coupled with the inclusion of other transportation modes.
During this phase, the MHD will conduct a formal audit of accident data acquired from 2002
onward and determine how many missing data elements from police reports are acceptable for
feasibility study work.
Task 1. Workshop
The assessment of methods will be initiated by a multi day workshop that will include nationally
recognized experts from government, academia and industry in fields of transportation safety and
traffic flow. A suggested list of such experts is given below:
• Mr. Michael Griffith, Federal Highway Administration
• Mr. Joe Bared, Federal Highway Administration
• Dr. Richard Dowling, Transportation Research Board, and Dowling Associates
• Dr. Rich Margiotta, Cambridge Systematics
• Prof. Bhagwant Persaud, Ryerson University
• Dr. Ezra Hauer, Prof.. Emeritus, University of Toronto
• Prof. David Harkey, University of North Carolina
• Mr. Warren Hughes, P.E., Bellomo -McGee
• Mr. Doug Harwood, Midwest Research Institute
I selected these individuals because, in many cases, I read some of their papers and/or talked with
them. They are premier people in their fields. None of their works has been utilized for either the
first or second feasibility studies. To the best of my knowledge, none of these experts in traffic
flow and transportation safety have ever used the engineering design services of a heterogeneous
group ofpeople without any relevant engineering experience.
The results of this workshop will be distilled into a plan of action (i.e., a final report) and made
available in CD format. This plan will include a (1) procedure to develop software for prediction
of accident reduction percentages for interchanges and connecting highway facilities, (2)
development and/or modification of traffic flow simulation software for both micro and macro
traffic flow, and (3) development and/or acquisition of methods to compare cost versus benefits
regarding interchanges and/or highway facilities.
A Request for Response (RFR) will be prepared by the MHD to solicit contract support for the
development of tools and capabilities based on items 1 -3 above.
Task 2. Formal Accident Data Audit
Task 3. Assessment of Accident Data Quality
3 O
This Phase entails the actual development of. (1) procedure to develop software for prediction of
accident reduction percentages for interchanges and connecting highway facilities, (2)
development/modification of traffic flow simulation software for both micro and macro traffic
flow, and (3) development and/or acquisition of methods to compare cost versus benefits
regarding interchanges and/or highway facilities.
During this phase, use of the tools developed during Phase II will be undertaken with respect to
the 193/95 interchange and connecting highways.
Submitted by:
Jeffrey H. Everson, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Member: PRESERVE, I93/95 Task Force
21 Pine Ridge Circle, Reading, MA 01867
781- 944 -3632 (home); 781- 684 -4247 (work); cni4@aol.com
rI
Date: 10/13/05
To: Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager
F-rom:John Feudo, Recreation Administra
RE: Memorial Playground Donation
Please inform the Board of Selectmen that the Atwood family of 361 Charles made a
very generous donation ($1000) toward the playground project at Memorial Park. I
have attached a letter as well for you.
I expect the Memorial Park Playground project to be completed sometime in
November. I have attached a photo of the proposed playground.
Let me know if you have any questions.
M
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Fax: (781) 942 -5441
Website: www.ci.reading.ma.us
Dear Residents:
Town t o F Reading
P /i
PUBLIC WORKS
(781) 942 -9076
October 14, 2005
The Town of Reading and its contractor, Brox Industries, will begin reconstruction work on
Berkeley Street, Gleason Road, and Greenwood Road beginning the end of next week. Work is
expected to take about four weeks to complete, weather permitting. Work will commence each
day at 7:00 A.M. and end at approximately 4:30 P.M. Please use caution when traveling along
the street during the construction period.
Vehicles will not be allowed to park on the travel way during construction. Vehicles parked on
the street during the hours of construction will be towed at the owners' expense.
During this project, on your day for collection of rubbish, all rubbish must be at the curb
by 6:30 A.M.
Please be advised that due to the State of Emergency in New Hampshire currently brought on by
severe flooding, Brox Industries may be forced to assist in the New Hampshire cleanup. If this
happens and the contractor cannot begin as originally scheduled, work will be postponed until
Spring.
The Town of Reading will be working diligently to expedite the work on your street and we
thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this issue
please feel free to contact the Town of Reading Engineering Division at (781) 942 -9082,
Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 4:45 P.M.
Additional infonnation and updates can also be found on the Town's website at:
www.ci.reading.ma.us (look for the "What's New" link at the top of the page)
i � r
The Reading- klorth Reading
chamber of (Rommerce t
cordially invites you to attend
The Outstanding e` 62en .Award 1 inner
honoring
(f John Morton and Art Triglione
.i
1,
1
;4
The Thompson G9lub
20 Elm Street, Ylorth Reading, MA
Saturday, Ylovember /9, 2005
6:00 p.m.
Goochtails and Hors d'oeuvres
Surf & `turf
(90 f f ee and (Dessert
$50 per person
Entertainment provided by
Rure Energy Entertainment
featuring Johnny is
Tease send your check payable to the:
Reading- Vlorth Reading chamber of eommerce
R.O. 33ox 771, Reading, MA o/867
Phone 781 -944 -8824
Hechenblefter, Pete
From:
uo
Sent
October 1/.2UV5 9:548M
To:
Corey, John; Marquis, Rick Camille; Barnes, Jonathon'Bruen
Darlene; Casey, Paul; Clarke, Dennis; Curran, John; DiBlasi, Joe; Durrant, Ian; Everson, Jeff;
Festa, Mike; Gallagher, Jim; Gallerani, Michael; Grover, Robert; Hamblin, Eileen; Havern,
Robert; Jones, Bradley; Katsoufis, George; Kennedy, Anthony; Kinsman, Art; Leiner, Craig;
Meaney, Paul; Medeiros, Paul; Motter, Andrew; Natale, Patrick; Rogers, Maureen A.; Smith,
Susan; Sodano, Paul; Stinson, Richard; Sullivan, Dan; Tarallo, Ed; Tisei, Richard; Webster,
Bill; VVuelfe|,Steve
Co;
Blaustein, J Burggraff, W1 Callan, MeUaoo'ChhsteUu Thda'Coohe Don' DiZbo|io,
Dennis; Draisen, Mark; Dwyer, Margaret; Edwards, Adriel; Florino, Ron; Frey, Bob;
Grzegorzewski, Josh; Town Manager; Lindstrom, Mike; Lucas, Barbara; Lutz, Elaine;
McKinnon, Anne; K4ovmnn.John; Miller, Kenneth; O'Rourka' Carmen; Purdy, Jim; Reilly, Chris;
Bill; Stein Tafova' Ben; Van Magness, Frederick; Wood, Gail
Subject:
Agenda for 10/19 ITF meeting
UD
[TF20UG10-19
neeting agenda...
Hello Again Task Force Members,
Just a reminder that the next 93/95 ZTF Meeting is this Wednesday I0/I9
in
Stoneham. The agenda is attached:
<<ZTF 2005 I0-19 meeting ageuda.doc>»
Thanks,
Bob Frey
Manager of Statewide Planning
Office of Transportation Planning
Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation
(6I7) 973-7449
bob.fzey@otate'ma.uo
1-93 /1-95 INTERCHANGE TRANSPORTATION STUDY
TASK FORCE MEETING
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
4:30 PM — 6:30 IPM
Banquet Room (basement level)
Stoneham Town Hall
35 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180
MEETING AGENDA
1
Welcome
0
2.
Administrative Items and Review:
ffE
(Meeting Summaries, ITIF correspondence)
MASSACHUSETTS
EXECUTIVE OFFICE
OF TRANSPORTATION
Mitt Romney
Kerry Healey
John Cogliano
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Secretary
1-93 /1-95 INTERCHANGE TRANSPORTATION STUDY
TASK FORCE MEETING
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
4:30 PM — 6:30 IPM
Banquet Room (basement level)
Stoneham Town Hall
35 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180
MEETING AGENDA
1
Welcome
4:30
2.
Administrative Items and Review:
4:35
(Meeting Summaries, ITIF correspondence)
3.
Subcommittee Reports and Materials
4:45
(TDM efforts, safety, 128 mainline congestion, etc.)
4.
Review of Problems and Approach to Development
5:15
of Alternatives
5.
Evaluation Methods for Alternatives
5:45
(Examples, Initial Concepts, Positives and Negatives)
6.
Questions & Answers / Other Business / Next Meetings
6:20
Telephone (617) 973-7000
TDD (617) 973-7306
0
(P
Telefax (;6 P7) 523-6454
Town -of- Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867 -2683
Memo to: The Board of Selectmen
From: - The Reading Historical Commission
Date: October 11, 2005
Subject: Historical Preservation and Inventory Copy
HISTORICAL COlVIlOSSION
historical &i.reading.ma.us
(781) 942 -6661
Fax (7811942 -6071
The members of the Commission would like to provide the Board of Selectmen with a
description of the philosophy of historic preservation, as well as a copy of the Historical
and Architectural Inventory produced by the Commission. The Inventory is a
compendium of the historically and architecturally significant structures in town
comprising early commercial buildings, fine residences, and the homes of everyday
citizens.
Copies of the Inventory are available at the Public Library and addresses are listed on the
Town web site. Please circulate the copy among the Board members. Should anyone
wish a personal copy of the Inventory, please let us know.
It is our hope that this material will augment your understanding of the Commission's
role and foster even a greater appreciation of our wonderful Town.
91
A Brief Explanation of Historic Preservation
By the Reading Historical Commission
October 2005
To help people understand historic preservation and its purpose in the community, we've put together a
brief explanation that hopefully will be useful to the public.
Many people think preservation is reserved for entities such as national monuments or museums. And
indeed, that was the case during the beginning of the historical preservation movement in the early
1900's.
During the 20th century, the movement gradually stressed the importance of local history relative to an
individual community, but also recognized how it contributed to the regional, and ultimately, the national
levels. A strong example would be interpreting the Battle of Lexington and Concord as a turning point
within the colonies struggle against Great Britain. The patriots who participated were the ordinary men of
the times. These men were not only from Lexington and Concord, but from distant villages as well.
Among them were the Minutemen and militia contingents from Reading, who engaged the British
Regulars as they returned to Boston. Most of the Reading men hiked back to their homes that night not
fully realizing the effect of their actions. Although those men are long gone, a number of their homes are
scattered throughout Reading, standing as sentinels to our common heritage. All remain in private
ownership and house contemporary families two hundred and thirty years after the American Revolution!
None are museums, yet they allude to the past by their very being — preservation can be as subtle as
continuous use, blending into the collective landscape.
Reading's evolution can be identified by various phases of growth and development. The initial
settlement (Wakefield) was one of the earliest in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Primarily it was an
agrarian society that continued well into the early 1800's. By 1830, a few shoe making, and cabinet
making enterprises began to generate wages for residents. Additionally, several Reading businessmen
successfully lobbied to have the railroad come through town in 1845. As a result, other businesses
emerged: shoe factories, organ pipe manufacturing, clock assembly, and necktie operations. With
people no longer dependent on the land for survival, the advent of the rail lines also made commuting to
Boston convenient, transforming Reading as many people chose to live here in the latter part of the 19th
century. Eventually, suburbia emerged as farms were subdivided and homes for successive generations
and newcomers alike consumed the landscape.
Today, we can look around town and see reminders of the past. From the Parker Tavem to the few
remaining factories, to the house styles that changed as the town grew, to Reading's municipal buildings
and even the town's icon — a typical New England Common. This visual legacy constitutes the character
of the town: think about how the Town would look and feel like if that built environment were lost.
Historic Preservation cannot and should not portray life as frozen in a time capsule. It would be folly to do
so, since understanding the past clearly depicts the process of change. However, by understanding the
past, we can appreciate the efforts of those who came before us, shaping the community with their
buildings and personalities. Only then, can we put the future into context based on familiar surroundings,
shared memories, and the collective experiences which develop an appreciation for a sense of place. All
of which can be accomplished through Historic Preservation!
The Historical Commission's role is to advocate for historic preservation. For additional information direct
inquiries to Reading Historical Commission, Town Hall, 16 Lowell St., Reading, MA 01867.
y, t..
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MW., 17 f t ;i4"+
Please join us for the 1 oth annual
Adopt An Island
Appreciation Night
Date: Tuesday, October 25th
C Place:
This summer, Reading was again filled with
the beauty of your hard work! Thank you!!!
Please join us as we enjoy an ice cream treat
and congratulate the winners of our
"Beautiful Islands of Reading" contest.
WFUNIMET
• be • • • evening.
�L
Additionally, let us know if you'll be
participating in AA1 again next year.
Susan Bowe:
781- 944 -7807
Sue Hunter:
Bbowe @comcast.net
781-942-7311
almoda.comcast.net
if responding via email, please indicate
AAI In the heading, thank you!
C1 6(f I
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CITIES FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION CAMPAIGN CITIES AND COUNTIES.
-- - HAVE THE POWER TO REDUCE
GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION
`WH'_ILE SAVING MONEY AND
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RETROFIT FACILITIES,
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retrofits to 20 city facilities, savingt 1? F rs J
$700,000 in energy bills and
reducing 5,250 tons of global
warming pollution in the first year
REDUCE, REUSE,
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SAN, JOSE, CA provides financial
incentives for its businesses to
ADOPT E N ER* `GY recycle. Together all the city's
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EFFICIENCY reduced the total waste stream by
STANDARDS more than 53 %.
RIIRI INrTf1m \/T
CREATE
TRANSPORTATION
OPTIONS
BOULDER, Co HOP Shuttle Bus pro-
vides service to the city's three main
activity centers. The HOP Shuttle
carries over a million passengers
yearly and is strongly supported by
;BUY GREEN POWER
7� =',i
AUSTIN, Tk passed`aresoluton
7eauirine that 5% of
the
mac
in n
and
has
Tent's
►urces
ry
local merchants. a .. = y w °...,
,. �, :'
su """'t -, Of %me6;4e l `5
Towns
Amherst
Arlington
Cambridge
Medford
Stephanie Ciccarello, Wetlands
Gene Benson — Sustainable
John Bolduc
Ms Patricia Barry
Administrator/Energy Task Force
Arlington 781 -641 -0911
617- 349 -4628
781 393 2137
Coordinator
(413) 256 -4045
ebbensonnverizon.net
Also spoke with Rosalie Anders
Questions
ciccarellos @amherstma.gov
a. How has the CCP
It provided the Town with a structure
ICLEI gave community group $$ to
CCP is not forcing their pace or
Yes, CCP gave the town a baseline, a
TO been helpful to
program hep
and process to address the issue of
climate change
hire an intern and the town
supervised the intern and provided
results, and does not embarrass cities
and towns that are off pace. They do
place to begin.
your community?
the space.
quietly work to help re- energize
those towns that stagnated after
completing the inventory
b. Would you recommend
yes
Yes, and it provides momentum,
Yes- Benefits to CCP membership. It
is usefW to have the network to keep
Strong Yes,
Regional is the answer. All cities and
the ro am to Reading?
p gY g •
awareness
in touch with other towns and share
towns need to be working together.
ideas /information
"As long as I am on the job, Medford
will be a part of CCP." Pat Barry
c. How long did it take your
We hired an intern. She completed
A summer (student intern) info was
Approximately 6 months, however
Longer than 1 summer.
community to do the
the inventory over the summer
not all in one place
the software has gotten more
sophisticated since then.
months.
baseline data research?
d. Who did the work?
Both staff and an intern have been
Intern 3 or 4 summers ago, looked at
the City has a full time
One intern along with help from a
Intern, committee, Office
doing the work. Staff 4 -8 hrs /wk;
intern 10 -15 hrs/wk. Rough estimate
electricity, heating, schools,
municipal buildings. Don't recall
Environmental Planner, and
currently some of his other duties are
full time staffer who has other duties
as well. The intern was paid $12.00
staff, other; could you
$13,000 /yr
what the stipend was. The direction
light. For example, if a construction
to 15.00 per hour. ICLEI paid for
please estimate costs in
of the intern was really from an
project proposal involves an
the intern. Pat was not present at this
advisory committee although the
environmental review, he would be
time and does not know e % of
time and dollars?
town did choose someone to be the
working on that, but as there are no
paid staff time that as(' d the
contact. ICELI provided the first $$
such construction proposals at this
intern.
for intern
time, he has more time to spend on
( At the beginx P, it appears
the Climate Plan. So he is currently
that ICLErpaid. interns.
working about 2/3 of his time -on the -
For whatever s payment
Climate issues, but he says that the
has stopped.
CCP needs are less than weekly.
e. Is the software provided
Our intern had some difficulty, but
Not sure, but the intern did the job
Yes
Technician said that the software
by ICLEI user friendly?
the support team at ICLEI is
with little trouble.
was manageable.
extremely helpful
f. Was their technical
yes
See above
Yes
Pat Barry spoke very highly of
ICLEI and CCP. I assume their help
assistance timely and
was timely and effective.
effective?
e
g. How much were your
We are only currently releasing our
Climate Action Plan. The estimate
Just putting plan together, but did
replace most street tights and traffic
This has been difficult to define as
increased development since the
Renovation of municipal buildings
with energy retrofits resulted in a
savings and
energy g
for reductions is 35% below our 1997
lights, the lights in the library and a
baseline has resulted in more energy
$7000, annual savings and a
pollution reductions?
baseline emissions= approx. 140,635
more energy efficient boiler. At town
use overall.
reduction in maintenance costs.
tons ghg
meeting over two years got 2 bylaws:
Schools changed from oil to natural
To direct the town to purchase the
I gas with significant reduction in
2
most fuel efficient vehicles available
pollution. Street lights conversion
and with some exceptions to follow
program to high pressure sodium
LEED guidelines for silver level.
vapor lights. Traffic,lights converted
Haven't really built any buildings
to LEDs. Solar panels on City Hall
though since then.
and 1 elementary school for some
energy reduction.
h. Where did you make the
The colleges in town are doing a lot
Project so far, lighting changes not
lighting
Probably the schools' conversion to
most gains in savings and
of work towards becoming more
quantified as yet
natural gas would have saved the
energy efficient and sustainable.
most in green house gases.
reductions?
Conversion of UMASS coal plant
was nearly 10% alone
i. What pitfalls did you find
Political, financial, time
The first intern resulted in an
Some things have not produced the
The present pitfall is too much work
along the way?
inventory but not the next step. They
expected savings — possibly due to
for the 1 hired staff person. Pat
eventually got a second intern to do
relevant staff not understanding the
works entirely on energy and
more work and volunteers came in
operations of new systems.
environmental issues for the Town of
and hope this fall to present a plan to
Medford.
selectmen. People on town working
on it and supportive, but they are
volunteers.
�. How many members are
Approximately ten at the moment —
There are lots of people on their list -
There are 10 members on the
Patricia Barry is a paid specialist for
on our committee? Do
y
the make -up of the group has
serve but about 5 -10 attend monthly_
committee, including representatives
the town on energy and environment.
changed considerably over time. Not
meetings. Lots of people do this kind
from Cambridge Health Alliance,
Medford also has a number of
they represent other
other committees, but some other
of work in the energy and electrical
Harvard, Wr, and utility companies.
voluntary committees working on
committees and/or
departments and institutions in town.
field, they've arranged cost subsidies
Staffing is generally just Community
energy and the environment. One in
departments in your
and helped apply for grants — this has
Development, however, DPW staff
particular is looking at the feasibility
been very helpful. They are sort of
attend on occasion.
ofwind power in the Medford
city /town government?
part of the town, under a process
environs.
called Vision 2020, which was
officially mandated, one ofthe task
groups under Vision 2020 is
Environment. They got together with
sustainable Arlington and finally
decided to be one of the Vision 2020
task groups. This is long range
planning and implementation. Their
liaison is with the recycling program.
A couple members are town meeting
members. Not so successful has been
the ties with the town — no liaison
with town buildings.
Other Info
Our plan will be available soon.
Staff interest determines success but
Due to its early entry into the energy
We're having a big Energy Fair on
the time commitment depends on the
and environmental arena, Medford
the Town Common on October 8th to
pace you set.
has use of several electric cars. Pat
celebrate the release of our plan.
Barry has been given the use of a
Since Reading has its own light
General Motors EV for her travel.
plant, it may have funding available
(EV = electric powered vehicle)
for such initiatives as the CCP plan,
from its enterprise fund
2
Towns
Newton
Salem
Shutesbury
Williamstown
Amelia Ravin
Rev. Jeff Burz-Snell
Erik Hoffner
Ms. Jane Allen, Selectman
a. How has the CCP
aravinp,cleanair-coolplanet.org
Absolutely — a lot of work wouldn't
978 7441551
Definitely.
Shutesbury is still in the data
413 458 4251
Yes, the town first set their goal on a
20% reduction in energy usage and
program been helpful to
have happened without the
framework of CCP to work from.
collection stage of the process.
later lowered their goal to what they
your Community?
considered a more reasonable goal of
10 %.
b. Would you recommend
Absolutely. Small caveat — but it
does take time to do the inventory
Yes, the program gives a rational
process to do the work. It also
Yes, although Shutesbury will be
able to make a more accurate
Yes, Ms Jane Allen was very
positive in her recommendation for
the ro am to Reading,
p g
and use ICLEI tools. Recommends
provides a collaborative to work with
recommendation once they have
Reading to join CCP.
MA?
we join if we can find creative ways
others.
completed the program.
to staff/intern.
c. How long did it take your
Worked on the 2002 inventory, but
One year. The interns used the year
Still in process
More than a summer. Guessing at 1/2
a year. in 2002, they used
community to do the
also had to redo the 1998 because it
got lost. It's not very long, if you
2002 as their baseline.
Working
2000-as their baseline.
baseline data research?
talk ahead of time about general
sources. The time for data entry and
analysis not long. She did both
d. Who did the work?
inventories over 3 months.
Intern grad student (MIT) paid
mostly through work study from
Two interns from the Geography
Department at Salem State College
They have one volunteer coordinator
and one graduate student intern.
Williamstown obtained a college
intern from Williams College. The
Intern, committee, Office
school. She also found a grant for
collected the data. They were given
The intern will be paid $500.00 upon
intern► was paid by the college as -well
staff, other; could you
some of the energy plan writing.
graduate credit for their work.
completion of-the data collection and
as by a technology business group in
their town. The town did not pay for
please estimate Costs in
The city paid her maybe $1500 over
analysis.
$1000.00 grant from the New
the intern.
time and dollars?
2 years'
Mix from planning & public
England Grass Roots Environmental
buildings depts
Fund.
e. Is the Software provided
Yes. It will take a couple hours to
Yes, it was, once we became
Yes. The intern says that it's easy to
Ms. Jane Allen assumed so. She did
not hear of any problems with the
b ICLEI user friendl ?
Y y.
get used to but very straightforward,
especially if the person has already
accustomed to it.
use.
program.
used any kind of data entry soft
ware. The software also switches
units of measurement easily. ICLEI
was willing to spend a total of a few
hours on the phone with her'to learn
it. One important item to address —
more than one person should be
trained to use the software (but one
person should be consistently doing
the entering).
f. Was their technical
Yes. ICLEI was very responsive &
Yes.
Yes, ICLEI has been helpful and
Yes.
assistance timely and
interested in helping.
available
effective?
e Haw much were your
g.
Newton has been saving $400;000
annually since 1999. Lots of this
New lighting in parking garage saves
$22,000 annually. In 5 years they
This information is not yet available
since the project is not complete.
They plan to save the cost of
supplying air conditioning to their
_� a
energy savings and
was from lighting retrofits & boiler
will pay for themselves. Also,
library by installing solar panels on
the building,
improvements.
implementing LEDs for their traffic
pollution reductions?
h. Where did you make the
Boilers & lighting
1,2,3 Pledge.
This information is not yet available
They have raised $13,000 of the
most airs in savings
g g
Amelia will email a spreadsheet
detailing the savings
Citizens pledge to reduce thermostats
1 degree in the winter and raise
since the project is not complete
$20,000 needed for their solar
panels. Money is being raised by
reductions?
Schools were 75 percent of
thermostats 1 degree in the summer.
Massachusetts Technology
emissions
They also pledge to reduce their
Collaborative. The town receives a
speed 2 mph when over 60 mph.
rebate when citizens purchase green
Lastly, they promise to replace 3
power. As a town with a municipal
incandescent light bulbs with 3
light department, we are not
compact florescent bulbs.
qualified for this program.
i. What pitfalls did you find
Energy plan writing — they are
having trouble with getting the
Reverend Burz -Snell stressed the.
importance of working in
Gathering information has taken a
long time because the graduate
Step 4, implementation, is the most
difficult step to accomplish. $$ is the
aloe the
g way?
aldermen to adopt it so mainly it's a
collaboration with everyone in town.
student intern is busy with
issue.
political problem.
Try to eliminate confrontational
schoolwork
issues.
j. How many members are
9 — 3 appointed by mayor, 3 by
Salem has a grass roots citizens'
One volunteer, one paid intern
Ten members constitute their
Members come from
on our committee? Do
y
aldermen, 1 by school committee, 1
by the league of women voters, 1 by
group called SAFE, Salem Alliance
for the Environment. This group
committee.
different segments of the
they represent other
the chamber of commerce.
pushed Salem to join CCP and
community: from businesses, the
committees and/or
It is definitely helpful to have a
continues to be the impetus for much
college, the government, and
departments in Our
business owner on the committee.
of the energy conservation and
residents.
P Y
pollution reduction efforts. I do not
city/town government?
know their number.
k. Add any other pertinent
ICLEI needs the staff liaison for
Salem is running a program called
Gathering signatures from
Although, Williamstown is ahead of
information gleaned by
communications, but that person
doesn't really need to spend time on
Eco- Circles. SAFE sponsors 6 to 8
week discussion groups focused on
townspeople, particularly children
was helpful in initiating the program
us in Reading, they are really just
getting started. With only 8,000
your interview.
the project, with committed
sustainable living. They are 1 hour a
residents, they are finding funding
volunteers and committee for
week with a set of readings. People
projects difficult without outside
implementation.
come together to think of what is
help. Fortunately, they have a College
happening and what can be done.
within their confines.'
Newton did its first inventory in
The conversation generates interest
1999, then 2002. With the two
and knowledge of what we can do.
inventories they have a trend. While
We can learn much from Salem's
saving $400,000 per year from the
progress.
work done by CCP, a fulltime
electrical engineer spent about 80
percent of his time on CCP. He's
now retired and the city is trying to
rehire him. Newton has 3
committees on this now. But having
an employee spend 80% of his time
on this is not required — he just saw
the value of saving over half a
million dollars a year on energy
costs.
4
Town of Reading, Massachusetts Sample Resolution
Particination in the cities for Climate Protection Campaisn
WI-IEREAS, scientific consensus has developed that Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases
released into the atmosphere have a profound effect on the Earth's climate; and
WHEREAS, in 2003 the American Geophysical Union adopted a statement noting that human activities are
increasingly altering the Earth's climate and that natural influences cannot explain the rapid increase in
near - surface temperatures observed during the second half of the 20`s century; and
WHEREAS, in 2001, at the request of the Administration, the national academy of Sciences (NAS)
reviewed and declared global warming a real problem caused in part by the actions of humankind; and
WHEREAS, the 2001 Third Assessment Report from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
and the 2000 U.S. Global Change Research Program's (USGCRP) First National Assessment indicate that
global warming has begun; and
WHEREAS, 162 countries including the U.S. pledged under the united Nations' Framework convention on
Climate Change to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, energy consumption, specifically the burning of fossil fuels, accounts for more than 80% of
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, local governments influence communities' emissions by exercising key powers over land use,
transportation, construction, waste management, and energy management; and
Whereas, local government actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy
efficiency provide multiple local benefits by decreasing air pollution, creating jobs, reducing energy
expenditures, and saving money for the local government, its businesses, and its residents; and
WHEREAS, the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign sponsored by ICLEI Local Governments for
Sustainability, has invited the Town of Reading to become a partner in the Campaign;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Reading commits to participate in the cities for
Climate Protection Campaign and, as a participant, pledges to take a leadership role in promoting public
awareness about the causes and impacts of climate change. The Town of reading will undertake the Cities
for Climate Protection Program 5 milestones to reduce both green house gas and air pollution emissions
throughout the community, specifically:
• conduct a greenhouse gas emissions' inventory and forecast to determine the source and quantity of
greenhouse gas emissions in the jurisdiction;
• establish a greenhouse gas emissions' reduction target'
• develop an action plan with both existing and future actions which when implemented will meet the
local greenhouse gas reduction target;
• implement the action plan; and
• monitor to review progress; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Town of Reading requests assistance from ICLEI's Cities for
Climate Protection Campaign (CCP) as it progresses through the milestones.
Recommendation for the
"Cities for Climate Protection" Program
Presented to the Town of Reading Massachusetts Board of Selectmen
on October 18'h, 2005 by the Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate participation in the Cities for
Climate Protection Program
Mission
The mission of the Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate participation in the Cities for Climate
Protection Program as adopted by the Board of Selectmen on June 7, 2005 is as follows:
Evaluate participation in the "Cities for Climate Protection" program and
advise the Board of Selectmen as to whether the Town should participate
in this program.
6 Point Charter and Data Review
.Specifically, the committee addressed each of 6 points addressed in their charter as outlined in
the remainder of this document.
Charter Step 1: Develop a work plan and schedule for accomplishing the Mission of the
Committee, and review it and key decision points with the Board of Selectmen-
The Committee met beginning in late August and through September and October to
accomplish the following tasks:
1 Learned about the Cities for Climate Protection program (CCP program) in
a meeting with the local representative of the International Council for Local
Environmental Initiatives (ICf ,EI) to find out about the CCP program
2 Reviewed the CCP website and information on the program
3 Met with a representative of the Reading Master Plan committee
4 Developed a questionnaire for use when interviewing participating towns
5 Called citieshowns enrolled in the CCP program to find out about their
experience with the CCP program and attended some energy fairs
6 Reviewed information from the towns and the internet
7 Evaluated costs and benefits
8 Prepared this presentation and report
Charter Step 2• Become thorouWAy familiar the Cities for Climate Protection proms
The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) has established a Cities
for Climate Protection" program, which works with cities, towns, and counties to reduce the
pollution that causes global warming. The program outlines 5 milestones that a town can work
through to protect climate from the influence of human activities by reducing green house gas
emissions mainly through energy efficiency measures.
The five milestones are:
i. Conduct a local emissions inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, including, as
available: capturing emissions from all municipal operations (e.g., city owned and/or
operated buildings, streetlights, transit systems, wastewater treatment facilities) and
from all community- related activities (e.g., residential and commercial buildings, motor
vehicles, waste streams, industry). The inventory provides a benchmark against which
the town can measure progress. This first step is accomplished by obtaining records
from local utilities and putting the information into software provided by ICLEI. The
software can make assumptions about energy use where data are not available.
ii. Adopt an emissions reduction target. This is done by the town by passing a resolution
- there are no requirements to this step, it is a target for the town's own aspirations.
iii. Identify potential local actions that achieve the target. Town staff and the volunteer
committee develop these. Depending on the baseline year chosen, some improvements
may already have occurred (e.g., change of school buildings from oil to gas heat).
iv. Implement action plan policies and actions. Towns have done this project by project,
starting with the easier projects.
v. Quantify and report benefits created. The software helps to continue to measure
progress.
In the United States currently there are 159 cities, towns, and comities participating in the
program at present. Those cities and towns located in Massachusetts include, Amherst,
Arlington, Barnstable, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Falmouth, Gloucester, Lenox, Lynn,
Medford, Natick, Newton, Northampton, Salem, Shutesbury, Somerville, Springfield,
Watertown, Williamstown, and Worcester.
Charter Step 3 • Discuss with other communities who participate in the campaign., the
advantages and disadvantages of participation.
See the results for Question 4 and the attachment.
Charter Step 4• Understand the budget and/or staff cost in participating in the pro rg_am.
The Ad Hoc Committee spoke with the following eight Massachusetts towns:
1.
Amherst
2.
Arlington
3.
Cambridge
4.
Medford
5.
Newton
6.
Salem
7.
Shutesbury
8.
Williamstown
Following is a summary of the information provided by these towns:
Experience with ICLEI:
• Consistently positive
• ICLEI has been supportive
• Some early members got funding from ICLEI
• ICLEI software is easy to use
• ICLEI technical support is available
• ICLEI has no hidden agenda and they genuinely seem to only want to help
• ICLEI doesn't hold towns accountable to targets
• Some towns have gone inactive and so we weren't able to contact anyone, but
ICLEI hasn't finger pointed
Costs
There is a $600 per year membership fee, otherwise costs vary:
• Some towns have used interns, and costs have varied from no cost - volunteer efforts,
and a low of $500 to full-time municipal employees doing the program as part of
their job.
• .
Some of the towns reassured us that this can be achieved without major staff time,
although ICLEI stresses the need for staff support (see next paragraph) for
continuity and data storage.
Benefits /Savings
The benefits from the program include both real cost savings for the town and the
benefits of improving the environment right here in Reading. Some towns contacted by the
3
committee are too early in the program to have quantified benefits at this point but here
follows a summary of the savings of other towns:
• Newton is saving $400,000 per year ($79,000 in kilowatt hour savings).
• Medford underwent a conversion from heating oil to natural gas in their City Hall in
1999. Additionally, most indoor lighting was upgraded from magnetic to electronic
ballasts and efficient lighting replaced previous lights. This conversion and the
lighting upgrades created an estimated reduction of 133 tons of eCO2 per year,
reduced energy costs by more than $7,000, and created a significant reduction in
maintenance costs.
• Salem, Massachusetts installed new and more efficient lighting in their public
parking garage. The cost was approximately $100,000 with an annual energy
savings of $22,000. In 5 years the new lighting will more than pay for itself.
• Williamstown, Massachusetts has raised $13,000 toward purchasing solar panels for
its library. The solar panels at a cost of $20,000 will soon power the library's air
conditioning at very little cost. The $13,000 was raised by reimbursement by the
Massachussetts Technology Collaborative which funds communities whose
consumers select tax - deductible renewable energy choices.
• Burlington, Vermont, according to the Executive Summary of the CCP report for
the city states, "Energy efficiency measures installed in municipal buildings in
Burlington since 1990 have already saved the city approximately $307,000 and
2200 tons of CO2 annually:"
• Brockton, Massachusetts is nearing completion of its Brightfield project that will
span a 27 -acre site with 1000s of solar panels to produce l megawatt of clean and
cheap electricity, enough to power 120 homes. "It is expected to be New England's
largest solar array." In addition, the city has installed an 8 kilowatt solar panel on
the roof of its high school. The panel will produce enough electricity to power the
school's science lab.
According to ICLEI, "Every year, actions taken by the US CCP local governments
cut 20 million tons of global warming pollution and cut $400 million from energy
and fuel costs for local communities."
Leadership
Generally the towns contacted were doing this with volunteer committees and town
staff supporting. The town needs to have a staff person as a municipal contact, and as a
liaison to the committee. But most of the leadership and direction for the program in the
towns we contacted came from the volunteer committees.
All the towns we contacted recommended joining CCP!
4
Recommendations
Charter Step 5: Make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen;
We recommend joining the Cities for Climate Protection program run by ICLEI for the
following reasons:
• It's an established program with a well- defined approach and a history of success
• It provides the software to develop the inventory and technical support for using the
software
• CCP provides training and a network with other member communities through conferences
• CCP is comprehensive, the program addresses all three areas where individuals have the
most control over climate change: energy, transportation and waste
• It focuses efforts that are generally assigned to multiple town. departments
• It cuts across municipal, commercial and residential boundaries
• The program should result in savings in energy costs to the town and residents
• The CCP offers both regional and national networking opportunities
The Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate participation in the Cities for Climate Protection Pro rg_am
recommends that the. Board of Selectmen do the following:
• Adopt a resolution to join ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection program
• Set up a permanent committee on energy and environment of 5 -10 (e.g., 7) members
• Hire an intern (paid or volunteer, we are investigating options) to assist with, at a
minimum, the first milestone
• Assign a staff person from the town as the contact for the program
Members of this committee look forward to conducting the first milestone (evaluation) while at
the same time seeking early reduction(s) of emissions
Next Steps
Given approval to proceed, the Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate participation in the Cities for
Climate Protection Program next steps will be to:
• Develop a. draft policy to set up an energy and environment committee
.• Develop a draft resolution for the Selectmen for Reading to join the CCV program
• Develop a draft implementation timeline for discussion
Charter Step 6: Present results at T ' own Meeting we hope to do during the November
town meeting. Our Charter is set to expire November 30, 2005.
Conclusions
Now is the right time for the town of Reading to join the CCP:
• The program will help the town and its citizens to conserve energy at a time when:
o Energy costs are rising and budgets are constrained
o Energy is a high visibility topic
o Future development projects will add to traffic, waste and energy
> 93/95 interchange
> Addison Wesley site
> 40B low income housing projects
• Many of the aspirations of the program fit well and can be incorporated into the Master
Plan currently under review
• The program will help Reading to reduce Green House Gas emissions and air
pollutant emissions resulting in cleaner air and a more sustainable community
• Participating in the program is something we can do to address mounting evidence of
negative human impact on climate change
Attachments
• Summary of questionnaire results
• ICLEI program brochure
• Sample Town of Reading Resolution
r
SIGN -IN SHEET FOR THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
DATE •
NAME ADDRESS
(Pleas rint)
/ P,,-V
Presentation Overview
e Hospital Trust (brief history)
* Committee's "Mission"
* Process Overview
* Summary Findings & Recommendations
* Next Steps
1
History of Hospital Trust
a Result of donated funds
1924: Gilman Parker, $35,000
1937: Anne Grouard, $75,000
1949: Steven Foster, $3,875
a Current value = $3.8 million*
Expertly managed by Trust Fund Commissioners:
Bob Cummings, John Daly, and Dana Hennigar
3
-�i
-A
TA
10,
Purpose of the Wills / Trust
In combination with other funds, aid
Reading in the establishing a hospital ...
In the meantime (1) direct that any part of
trust (interest) income may be used for the
defraying of medical hospital service
elsewhere for needy citizens of Reading ...
K
W%
15,18119an to formally deploy funds
via 1988 "Cy Pres"'Agreement
Judge approved use of some annual
interest to fund "Reading Response"
'Reading Response
Provides needy citizens with medical
transportation, Lifeline, home care
— 60-80 citizens served per year
— $150,000/yr. deployed (from interest)
.1
MISSION
To review the feasibility of developing a
hospital or like medical facility/services to
be funded by the Hospital Trust
3
Al
Committee Members
• Nelson Burbank - Vice Chairman
• Bruce Cerullo - Chairman
• John Daly - Hospital Trust Commissioner
• Peter Hechenbleikner - Town Manager
• George Hines - Former Selectman
• Bob LeLacheur — Finance Committee
• Colleen Seferian - Board of Health
• Neil Sullivan - CPC
Committee's PROCESS
o Understand original Wills and 1988 Cy Pres
0 "Top level" review of Reading Response
Confer with Dept. of Public Health
Gain input from knowledgeable citizens
8
S
Coommitteels, PROCESSm continued
Preliminary assessment of current offerings
/ future plans of 8 area hospitals and health
care providers
a "Free advice" from 5 different health care
consultants
a Strict adherence to a decision tree
9
Fe of Funds - "Decision Tree"
—Us 4
se o
Trust Funds
Hospital IS Hospital IS NOT
Feasible Feasible
Other Bricks & New (improved) Maintain "Reading
Mortar Options Program & Services Response" as is
Emergency Care
Urgent Care
10
5
Findings ...
Recommendations ...
M
Use of Funds - Feb. 1, 2005
Selectmen agreed ... building a Hospital is NOT Feasible
Use of
Trust Funds
Hos IS ' Hospital IS NOT
F s� Feasible
Other Bricks & New (Improved) ain in "Reading
ep Mortar Options Program &Services Monse"
as is
Emergency Care
Urgent Care
5urgi- Center
12
0
use o Funds - October 18, 25
We - rule out other "bricks and mortar" options
Use
of
Trusf Funds
Hos Hospital IS NOT
F s Feasible
011h B ' ks & New (Improved) Maintain "Reading
Mort tions Program & Services Response" as is
Em genc Care
Urg Care
urgi -Cent c
13
Key Decision
"For All? vs. the Needy?YY
Feasible
is & New (Improved) Maintain "Reading
ions ' Program &Services Response" as is
Services for "All" Services for the "Needy"
14
NIF
Key Decision #2 ...
ConduNeeds
Hospital IS NOT
Feasible
New (Improved) Maintain "Reading
ns Program Services Response" as is
Services for "All" Ser'v'ices for the "Needy"
15
Feedback
from the Board of Selectmen
® Endorse recommendation to rule out "Bricks and
Mortar" and focus on Programs /Services
® Weigh -in on the question of
"All" versus "the Needy"
® Provide initial feedback on "Needs Assessment"
Focused Assessment = $25 — 50K
Broad Needs Assessment = $50 —100k+
16
17
E