Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Minutes, March 9, 2010, Joint Meeting

Newbury/Bradford Joint Meeting
Energy Committees & Conservation Commissions
 

The meeting convened at 7:00 pm at the Bradford Academy.  Attending were:
Nikki Darling, Nancy Jones, Linda Ide, Sandy Price, David Root, Linda Bryan, Ed Wendell, Mike Thomas, Kathy Davidow, Peggy Hewes

 

The group agreed to hold a "Solar Hot Water Challenge" in Bradford on April 24 and divided up tasks.

 

Linda Bryan reported on the movie series in Newbury.  Attendance has been good.  Garbage is tentatively scheduled for March 20 at the Tenney Library.  Discussion followed re: copyright issues for showing Netflix films.  The Bradford film series will begin with King Corn at the Colatina on April 5.  The Bradford Conservation Commission has just purchased a projector.

 

Following up on Transition Town, there is nothing to report in Bradford.  Linda Ide suggested that the people who just completed the Menu for the Future discussion series in Wells River might be a potential "starter" group.  Discussion followed on how Transition Town works and whether planning boards should be involved.  Consensus was: bring in a speaker from a working Transition Town, form a steering committee, involve any other related efforts (such as "Local First") already in place, and emphasize re-skilling.  Kathy recommended inviting someone from White River Jct. to our next joint meeting on June 8.

 

Nancy reported on the grant proposal for the Bradford Industrial Park and on the up-coming expansion of the Bradford Park & Ride.

 

Further brainstorming on field trips produced a new list of possible destinations:  High Fields Institute/High Mowing Seeds, Bob Sanborn's compost operation, a wind farm, a cow-power methane digester, the Coventry methane waste facility.  For immediate plans, Nancy suggested carpooling to the NEK Energy Fair, followed by a trip to Hardwick in the summer.  The Bradford Elementary 5th & 6th grades' alternative energy unit was also discussed.

 

Mike announced that National Trails Day will be the 1st Saturday in June, and he will be organizing a crew of volunteers to work at the Wells River conservation area.  The Journal Opinion has promised to do a feature article on this event.  Mike also reported on plans for the annual "Paddle the Border" in May.  He hopes that an up-coming  planning meeting will  encourage more groups/organizations to participate with displays, activities, or performances along the river or at the destination site.  Rotary will do a BBQ, and Strawberry Farm Band will play.  The Bradford Conservation Commission will meet March 17 to decide whether to sponsor a newspaper ad.  Nancy will refer the Valley News correspondent to Mike.

 

The first planning meeting for the LEAF festival will be April 27 at 6:30 in Bradford.  LEAF is scheduled for Sept. 18.  Peggy reported that Ekolott Farm will probably do an "open house" this year to demonstrate its oilseed project, and perhaps that can be coordinated with LEAF.

 

Following up on PACE, Ed will research the voting results in towns with articles on their warnings this year.

 

Sandy announced that she will do a workshop at the Bradford Library on Earth Day.  Nancy and Linda B. will do a wildflower photography workshop there later in the spring.  Mike suggested that Bradford and Newbury Elementary Schools organize a "hiking exchange".

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Hewes


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