Acton Climate Action Team |
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6-December-2004 Minutes of the ninth meeting of ACAT: the Acton Climate Action Team Attendees:
Agenda Review Go-round Working with the Town Noted meeting with Dean Charter, J.D Head. Wanted to be involved, concerned about conflict of interest of Adam and looking over DMJM Harris. Bob said he had conversation with Dean about conflict of interest. Also major budget constraints, also lack of staff resources. Bob said he needs to talk to Dean and/or Bruce Stamski – Public Works Director. Money and staff time. How big are the energy bills for the town? Warren suggests dealing with behavioral changes for Town offices. Turning off lights, turning off computers, delamping on-needed lights. Decreasing heating costs. Link to the curriculum. Teaching impact to of electricity, and what is electricity usage? Bob suggests that at the grade school level might work. Warren suggests, a reward system for the school might help. Outdoor lighting Committee has a lot of information. Let’s talk to OLAC. Tom suggests that projects need to be included in a capital budget. Adam suggests that HVAC, heating / chiller upgrade need to be looked at for Capital budget. Town hall, DPW, Police Safety. Commissioning needs to be done for Police Safety Building. Contract performance standards. Warren asks, does anyone have the responsibility or the time to review the energy bills? Warren suggests that this might be a way for a group like this to work with the town. Adam says a review of the energy intensity per square foot is a good metric. Bob suggests he is the appropriate lead person. Bob will talk to Dean and find what data are available. Bob will see what arrangements need to be done to get the Town’s energy consumption data. Warren suggests building an education campaign. A 5% challenge at schools might flow-over to home. Warren has some data on typical household GHG direct an dindirect usage. (data has been put here) ACAT direction – focus for short-term - Brainstorm ideas Conduct a GHG Inventory for the Town Retailers install CFL. Public Education Jim suggests the 1-2-3 campaign that was used for some towns. Jim found out about it the big MCAN get together. Enforcement on Lighting Bylaws Working with Schools (Education and reduction, and get students involved). Working with the Town and getting the analytics. John Edmonds Working with 1 school. Junior High might be good. Working with the Town. After Discussion, working with the schools (Education and reduction, and get students involved). was the first choice. How to choose a school - criteria: District vs. Town Old building vs. New Building Junior High vs. Elementary School Entree Point vs. No Entree Point.
MTC website, has a guide to teaching renewable energy. Warren will send on URL and research it. How does it fit with curriculum? Are their any teachers would be interested? Would the parents like the activity? Have there been activities in this vein?
McCarthy-Towne – Tom Adam – John Edmonds (Junior High) Warren – Douglas Dana – Merriem Jim – Allen Warner (Junior High) Ecology / Envirothon (Tom will ask Sruthi).
Jim will to continue follow-up with Bob Johnson. Next meeting we will discuss whether an official Town Energy Committee would be appropriate.
Cape Wind Follow-up. for Jamie / Pam ./ Cory. Next Meeting. January 3, 2004. Lori had talking points |