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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-28 Cities for Climate Protection MinutesFebruary 28, 2007 Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program Committee Notes for Feb. 28, 2007 (Next Meeting - March 14t' at Town Hall) Committee Meeting 7:00 PM, present were Michele Benson, Ron D'Addario, Gina Snyder, Joan Boegel, Ray Porter, and Stephanie Anderberg Welcome - Chair Gina Snyder opened the meeting and welcomed all present. Minutes - A motion was made and seconded to approve the meeting minutes of the February 14 meeting. The motion passed 4-0. "Discuss joining MOAN" - Ron talked to Marc Breslow of MOAN, and it looks like we can't join as a committee. The problem is that the group takes political stands, and if the ACCCP was a member of MCAN, it would imply that the town is behind any stand that MCAN takes. Another option - if you go to their website (we believe it's MCAN.org), and click on "allied community action organizations", you will see that we could be listed there, without taking political positions. This might also allow us to post a link to our action plan - it's not certain. But this option would get our name out there for networking. Ray clarified that this would be through the aspect of our mission that includes reaching out to other communities. Ron sees it as both a way for us to reach others, and for others to reach us. Michele asked if we should ask Peter. Ron says that we would not bejoining as a member, but just being listed on the networking page. Gina pointed out that we hadn't had much luck getting this sort of networking assistance from ICLEI. Nothing she has seen of MCAN website goes beyond our own mission. Ron said that there would be a very small space to describe our committee on the networking page, and we should look at other listings on the page to determine what we should write about ourselves. Ron moved to have our name added to the MCAN website, under the Allied and Community Action Organizations page. This was seconded and approved 4-0. Ron added that if you want to join as an individual, it is $30. Also, Marc Breslow may join us on April 21, or will at least try to get someone to staff a table. Marc did suggest, if possible, that we have someone selling CFLs. We discussed the possibility of having a charity group sell them as a fundraiser. But there is nothing in the RMLD meeting room policy against selling, so it would also be ok if one of the invited displayers sold them. Gina described the 80' grade climate projects at Parker, and asked for emails on any suggestions about projects for the students. Healthy Landscapes - The Mass Dept of Environmental Protection will come to give a Healthy Landscapes, in response to a grant proposal we'd submitted. There is also a Greenscapes program which costs money. It doesn't seem too possible to combine the two, but we could do each separately. The garden club and Adopt an Island group are very interested in promoting the seminar for us. We will work toward the Healthy Landscapes program for now. We could look into using the senior center. Ron will check possible dates with the presenter and the Senior Center. Preferred dates are 4/10, 4/4, and 4/24. Earth Day Event Planning - The committee discussed the spreadsheet of display contacts for the Earth Day event, and who we have heard from so far. Not too many confirmations so far, but there were more suggestions on who to talk with. Gina will update and resend the spreadsheet based on the discussion. The committee also discussed possible movie times for the Friday evening event before Earth Day, and whether or not to include food. It was decided to try for hotdogs and drinks (while supplies last) from 5 to 5:45, then the movie An Inconvenient Truth at 5:45, and the movie Who Filled the Electric Car at 8. We can also have popcorn available in between shows. MPO Grant - time is slipping by. We need to pull a lot of data together. Gina suggests a subcommittee. The Austin Prep group may be interested, but they have to finish their own project first. Michele and Stephanie would be willing to work on the grant after the action plan. Gina suggested we not form a subcommittee just yet. Action Plans - We have a condensed list of action items, with references to which town(s) had that item. When we select items, we can send the text from the relevant towns and Michele (possibly others) will collate the best language. Ron suggests submitting the text for no more than 2 towns if there are several on one item. Gina & Michele suggest giving a few topics to each committee member to write up from the existing text. Joan, Michele and Stephanie will send text directly to the appropriate person, as those people's text were not included in the copy Gina emailed. Topic assignments are: Ray - enforcing the anti-idling law, and regional bike path Stephanie - Transit oriented design mixed use and Increased safety for bicyclists and pedestrians Joan - internet at neighborhood rideshare programs Raised crosswalks Looped bus service (BE Line) Auto shops giving advice on fuel efficient practices Gina - Park & Ride lots Vehicle maintenance and tire pressure programs Alternative fueling stations Safe walk to school/walking school bus Michele - Fuel efficient car choice campaigns Walking for health benefits program/walking in Reading Next Steps - At the next meeting, we will check in on Earth Day and Landscape programs. Everyone should look at the MCAN website and work on ideas for text to accompany our listing. Everyone should send text from their assigned topics to the full group by next Wednesday. The group should read the emailed topic texts before the meeting on March 14. Everyone should work on displayers for the Earth Day event.