HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-12 Cities for Climate Protection MinutesSeptember 12, 2007 Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program
Committee Notes for September 12, 2007 (Next Meeting - September 26dr at Town Hall)
Committee Meeting 7:00 PM, present were Michele Benson, Tracy Sopchak, Gina Snyder, Ray Porter, Ron
D'Addario Joan Boegel and Stephanie Anderberg. Jesse, a high school student, joined us as a guest.
Welcome - Chair Gina Snyder opened the meeting, welcoming all present. Introductions were made for
our guest. '
Minutes - A motion was made to approve the meeting notes of August 8, as revised, and August 22nd.
The motion was seconded and passed.
Action Plan - Tracy summarized the CCP process, our inventory and findings, and basic structure of
the Action Plan, to bring our guest up to speed. The committee reviewed the ranking system for Action Plan
items and worked on continuing to score each item. There was a discussion on the best way (and how much) to
present to Selectmen on Tuesday when they take the pledge (transportation version). We decided to have one
powerpoint slide with a few action items for the tv viewers'/live audience's benefit while the selectmen could get
a 1 sheet summary.
Green Team - Joan is meeting tomorrow with John Doherty at the school department. Joan has
materials for him on the Green Team. At any school that wants to join, a teacher will have to be involved, but
there are materials to take home to families. We want to ask John if he wants to be involved, and if so, at all
Reading schools, or at just a few pilot schools. The committee considered some thoughts on whether to do a key
grade vs trying to hit various levels, but it seems like if we only focus on key grades, there are some kids who will
be missed.
As teachers report activities back to the Green Team program, points are earned toward materials, recycling bins,
etc.
Joan confirmed with Michelle Mini that JRM (recycling contractor for the town) is required to pick up at the
schools every two weeks just like at residences.
Jesse described recycling efforts at the High School and it seems as if efforts there are fairly consistent. A
recycling club goes around every Friday to collect smaller bins and empty them into the larger curbside
containers.
Joan learned that the schools/the town pay the same rates for both recycling and garbage as is charged for
residential pick up. This means that the town would receive the same savings (incentive) if the schools recycle
more and reduce garbage pick up, as it does when residents decrease rubbish by recycling more. Recycling
collection costs the town about $30 less per ton than rubbish collection.
Michele described the building committee's plans to involve schools and students in conservation programs such
as turning off lights, etc.
We had a review of Safe Routes to School efforts in Reading, with Parker and Eaton schools already involved.
Reading police are very active in this program and would love to see more schools involved. We have added
another "e" to make it a 5E program - education, enforcement, engineering, encouragement, and (now)
environment.
Gina will meet with Pat Schettini on October 3rd to talk about anti-idling.
Joan will email the committee with followup on her meeting with John Doherty.
The Climate Conversation - this program is looking for someone from each ICLEI town to host a
community event getting people to talk about climate efforts and how neighbors can help. The idea is to hold a
meeting in your town at the same time as all the other participating communities, to talk about climate change.
We could have our conversation be about our action plan. And we might be able to cross promote with the
Crystal Garden Club. The committee discussed including other related groups such as Walkable Reading, the
recycling subcommittee, etc. Ron, Gina, Stephanie, Michele & Joan will act as a subcommittee to plan the event.