HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-10 Climate Advisory Committee MinutesFebruary 10, 2010 Reading Advisory Committee on Cities for Climate Protection Program
Committee Notes for February 10, 2010. 7PM (Next Meeting - February 24 at RMLD)
Present were Ray Porter, Michele Benson, Tracy Sopchak, Gina Snyder, Joan Beogel, Ron-D'Addario, Betsy
Schnieder (visitor) and Stephanie Anderberg.
Meeting opening -Chair Tracy Sopchak opened the meeting.
Minutes - The minutes of the January 27 meeting were approved. 28
Other Business to add to agenda - BOS meeting update.
NEGEF Grant - (New England Grassroots Environmental Fund) Joan took a look at the grant
opportunity - maximum grant is $2500. Joan has worked on a draft application, and talked with
representatives of NEGEF. They expect 100-150 applications and plan to fund about half of them. If
more applications than expected come in, they still want to fund about half, and will just reduce the
individual amounts. Towns are eligible grant recipients. Decisions will be made by the end of April,
with finding to come out in May (not retroactive for earlier expenses). The goal is to encourage
community engagement and they want to fund efforts that will be ongoing, rather than one-time events.
Our chances sound good. We would seek finds for two more (EMARC home) HEET weatherization
barnraising events, and possibly blower door tests of 5 or so more Reading homes. The discussion
continued on to specific answers to grant application questions.
Actions items yearly goals progress update - HEET - covered in the previous item, above.
Public outreach (Green Sense): Green Sense is all set for the moment.
Public outreach/Earth Day fair - Confirmations are starting to come in for displays. Home
Depot, Doyon's and natural food store are all on board. We might invite HEET and another auditor.
Public outreach (RCTV): the film was submitted to RCTV; just waiting for it to air. Tracy got
some tips and feedback from relatives who work in public access tv.
MassRIDES: Peter will talk with department heads and committee members and will try to meet
with department heads directly. Talked with Brad at MassRIDES about getting into schools regarding
walk to school day event on May 5. Would like to expand this to include staff of schools too (carpool,
walk, bike, etc).
Community no-idling - the Committee's next update to BOS is March 16, including a
presentation on the declaration of Reading as a no-idling town.
CCP benchmark update: Michele uploaded a new software update and Bing has the data.
Municipal Energy Efficient. Buildings/Green Communities: Tracy presented at BOS on Green
Communities and Renewable Energy Trust Fund, including a discussion of pros and cons. Also for
comparison, the presentation included a theoretical in-house option, for example through RMLD.
School climate change education: On March 5, Ron will sit in on a current events class at RMHS
Business 1-2-3 Pledge: no update
Reading Cares: Bike Swap - Reading Cares is interested, but our committee staffing is not
likely available beyond promotion and space. A member of North Shore Cyclists has agreed to head up
the event. Last year, we did 60 bikes and had nothing but positive feedback. We still need to confirm
with RMLD that it's ok to use the space. Discussion continued on logistics and details. Using numbered
vouchers (first to donate are first to select replacements) may help with potential disputes.
Other business - covered in Action Items updates, above