HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-19 Cities for Climate Protection MinutesNovember 19, 2008 Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program
Committee Notes for November 19, 2008. 7PM (Next Meeting - Dec. 10 at Town Hall)
Present were Michele Benson, Gina Snyder, Tracy Sopchak, Joan Boegel, Bing Xia, Sophie Gellot and Stephanie
Anderberg.
Meeting opening -Chair Michele Benson opened the meeting.
Minutes - A motion was made and approved to accept the Oct. 8th meeting minutes.
Events - the commitee discussed plans for an info table at the annual downtown tree lighting festival.
Also, Ron is scheduled for an interview on John Russo's local cable tv show.
Discussion on MMA Green Communities Act & Reading - the town already meets some of the
requirements of this program, such as through our CCP work. Other requirements are tougher, like the need for
more renewable energy. It's possible that a regional effort could count toward the renewable requirement. There
are some concerns about how "muni" towns may not qualify without certain commitments, whent eh RGGI funds
should be equally available to all towns.
Action Plan items updates - Update on RCAP
Looped Bus Service - The state has deferred our grant and put it into an account for us for about a year. This
item was taken off the TM warrant for now.
School-Wide No-Idling Program - Joan can speak with the Birch Meadow PTO on Jan 14.
School Climate Change Education - a "Reading Public Schools Conserve" effort is working on cardboard
recycling, reduction in bottled water usage, and general awareness. Classroom visits by Reading Recycles are
getting tougher to schedule, so for now, the group will send lesson plans to interested schools.
Public Outreach and Education - Beginning work on story boards for RCTV program.
Other - Michele booked the RMLD cafeteria for the Earth Day fair in April - we'd like to have more activities
and interaction for kids.
Item of interest: Tangerie is a company manufacturing vertical wind turbines, which can be installed in spaces
where conventional turbines wouldn't fit.