HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-25 Cities for Climate Protection MinutesReading Advisory Committee for Cities for Climate Protection
Notes for April 25, 2007
Next Meeting May 9, 2007 at Town Mall.
Committee Meeting 7 p.m.; present were Michele Benson, Ray Porter, Tracy Sopchak,
Gina Snyder, and Ron D'Addario.
The minutes for April 11, 2007 were unanimously accepted.
The decision was made to write "thank yous" to the presenters at our Earth Day Fair.
Ron write to REI, Home Depot, and Doyons. Michele B. write to Covanta, Trish (safe
cleaners), DPW, CHP, Stream Team (Will Finch), and Sovay (Kids' Table).
Gina write to Michelle Mini (worm compost), and Ms. Quackenbush for Future City.
Gina mentioned that Peter was interested in the anti-idling campaign. We need a policy
for town vehicles. Stephanie Anderberg will be asked to research the policy. We need to
meet with the school superintendent. Perhaps Ms. Quackenbush and her classes might
help out. We need to educate everyone about air pollution, global warming, the effects of
pollution on small children. Good to have kids present the issue to parents at open house.
Gina mentioned that Ben Tafoya wanted our committee to consider a by-law for new
developments. They would be required to capture water run off, and not use water to
maintain their landscapes. Perhaps we could speak to the Reading Garden Club to see if
they might want to adopt one of our programs.
Gina spoke of the EPA bus tour that we had wanted to come to Reading. The tour was
designed for only very large cities. Twenty thousand people were expected to visit the
bus. Apparently, Reading was far too small a town to compete for the bus.
Gina responded to the Cambridge Alliance putting Reading's hat into the ring to join
Cambridge in their efforts to reduce energy usage. We are awaiting their reply.
Ray reviewed 3 articles for the committee.
Peter H. sent Gina information on a Suburban Mobilization Fund. After reading the
rudiments of the program, Gina said that Reading did not seem to meet the requirement
of a high density, urban setting.
The committee asked Gina to invite a LexPress Bus representative visit our committee.
(June 30th was suggested as a date, I believe.)
Gina asked that a subcommittee complete the action plan. Ron would call Michelle Mini
to ask if she would work on writing the report. The committee agreed to give the report to
a subcommittee. The committee also felt that a meeting with Peter H. would be
advantageous to give him an overview (preliminary draft) and receive his
recommendations. Perhaps other town departments could review and make suggestions
as well for our action plan. These reviews would help the committee to finalize and
ultimately deliver our report to the town as a whole.
Michelle B. gave an update of the Municipal Building Committee. Much of her report
testified to the lack of energy conservation in our new school buildings. Heating in
schools is improperly regulated; lighting is inefficient as sunlit areas are also needlessly
electrically lit as well. Lights are left on in many areas with no one present. The
committee asked if Mary Delai could write the ACCCP a summary of what the Building
Committee has found in its inquiry into energy usage in public buildings.
The final discussion returned to the Action Plan. Tracy would lead the subcommittee to
write the action plan. Gina and Michele B., volunteered to help.
Respectfully submitted,
Ron D'Addario, Secretary Pro Tem