HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-04-08 Cities for Climate Protection MinutesApril 8, 2009Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program
Committee Notes for April 8, 2009. 7PM (Next Meeting - May 13 at Town Hall)
Present were Michele Benson, Gina Snyder, Tracy Sopchak, Dave Williams, Joan Boegel, Sophie Gellot Bing Xia,
Ray Porter and Stephanie Anderberg.
Meeting opening -Chair Michele Benson opened the meeting.
Minutes - The minutes of the March 25th meeting were approved.
Earth Day Fair & Bike Swap Review - The bike swap seemed quite successful as over 60 bikes were
swapped. This was the first try at this and it took 5-6 people working steadily to keep it staffed. The committee
discussed whether and how to do this again next year, but it's too early to tell if volunteers will be up for it again.
If so, we will need more help passing out info and taking time to talk with people about our work and about
Reading Cares.
The kids' crafts went well and having a kids' room was a good change to event organization. Next time,
we could promote this more.
Committee members had some thoughts on signage and crowd flow to get people through the event next
year.
Home Depot is interested in having us at their green event again this year.
Code of Conduct - Michele forwarded another copy to committee members. Our committee seems to be
doing well meeting the requirements.
Ron on tv with John Russo, re: Nuclear Energy - Ron plans to be a guest on John's show, as
an individual and not representing the committee.
RCAP Assignments - the committee reviewed the next phase of Action Items and talked about
who should lead each effort.
Walkable Reading's Spruce Up Day - Walkable Reading is asking property owners to spruce
up sidewalks and paths, clear obstacles & debris, and trim encroaching or overhanging vegetation.
Committee members will work on a Green Sense column about this.
Update on Recycling - Dave will be attending a Covanta meeting. MassRecycles has yet to
agree or disagree on the information set to go to the Governor, regarding having additional incinerators
in Massachusetts. Reading Recycles is trying to work with the Rotary Club regarding electronics
recycling events, and using recyclers that do not send waste abroad but rather recycle properly.
Other Business - the Home Energy Efficiency Team that has been doing "barnraisings" in
Cambridge is offering leadership training. We may want to look into doing similar projects in Reading
- perhaps the Mattera cabin (but there are ADA issues that complicate projects there).
A new grant program is funding an effort for energy efficiency presentations to communities.
Another possibility is that perhaps the new Energy Efficiency Engineer could lead workshops.
Dave also brought a selection of environmental movies that he has available to loan.