HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-18-CAPAH-minLexington Climate Action Plan Ad Hoc Committee
Meeting Minutes
October 18, 2007
Room 111, Town Hall
Present:
Marilyn Campbell
JJ Krawczyk
Charles Moore
Linda Moran
Toby Sackton
Sam Silverman
1) Minutes from the September meeting were approved unanimously.
2) Outreach.
Toby attended the recent Energy Committee meeting. Their focus is on the municipal and
school buildings. For these buildings, they are obtaining utility information similar to
what we will be looking for. They like the idea of establishing a baseline. Our
committees could help each other out.
The Tree Committee is also interested in our work. In particular, how do we take tree
cover into account and what might be the effect of tree planting actions? We did some
brainstorming:
- Could calculate tree coverage and estimate CO2 absorption. Using GIS software /
Google Earth?
- What is the current % coverage? Town vs. private?
- What is a maximal cover we could realize in an ideal case?
- How much CO2 absorption per acre?
- Can we measure the cooling effect of the shade provided?
- Conservation area stewards might also see a similar benefit and might be willing to
help.
- The software tool doesn't address this (can Andy double check ?) and we'd have to enter
the absolute numbers.
What about traffic committees? Are there intersections that should have traffic controls
(signals, reconfiguration) to reduce the amount of idling?
Sidewalk committee: Most interested in making life better for pedestrians, which (in our
interest) would make walking a more desirable option. Some neighborhoods within
walking distance of the Center are not easily walkable due to lack of sidewalks.
Some other recommendations from the sidewalk committee: Center traffic islands across
Mass. Ave. strategically placed (e.g. in front of Post Office) would slow traffic to help
pedestrians and also provide a somewhat safe halfway point across the road. Some bus
stops should be moved because when a bus is dropping off / picking up passengers, it
impinges on visibility for pedestrians trying to use the nearby crosswalk.
Chamber of Commerce: Tied up with Shire. Haven't talked to yet.
GWAC: Plenty of cross - pollination. Just need to be sure to report.
Inter - Faith: When we need to do survey, how can they help.
3) Model Climate Action Plan
Somerville's report is at:
http: / /www.somervillema.gov /CoS Content/documents /Somerville GHG Inventory %20
Report.pdf
We should look at a few other similar reports before deciding if we settle on this as our
model. Action item for everyone: Look at the ICLEI web site for other plans or other
resource material we should all be looking at as we put our plan together.
To sign onto the ICLEI web site, go to www.iclei.org /usa, click the "member login" link
on the left -hand sidebar, and log in using:
username: lexington
password: local0926
4) Intern
Jeanne has talked to Tufts. This intern will ideally become a full participant in the
committee. Task include, but are not limited to, data entry, recommending sources of
data, and advising on the impact of one data source over another on the outcome of the
model.
Andy is working on a job description that we can then post at Tufts.
5) Technical Update: Nothing new.
6) Dates of future meetings:
November (20) and December (18) dates are still valid.
Two future meetings were scheduled: January 15 and February 12.
All of these are Tuesday evening meetings.
7) Miscellaneous.
This actually occurred during the outreach reports but I've separated it out as it was a
tangent:
The issue of examining emissions by Lexington drivers vs. emissions emitted in
Lexington was brought up again. If possible, data on both should be gathered to see what
we can learn. What ends up going into the baseline can be determined later.
The plan that has been floated to assess Lexington drivers is to get the make /model /year
information from the town and use EPA mileage numbers. The tough nut is figuring out
what to use for miles driven.
There may be state data available for drive - through vehicles, most of which will be the
traffic on Routes 2 and 128. MAPC was mentioned.
8) Action items:
Rick & Toby: Still working on list of what to measure.
Andy: Confirm JJ's statement that the ICLEI software doesn't handle tree cover. Job
description for intern.
All: Look at Somerville report and find others either on the ICLEI web site or elsewhere.