February 1, 2012
ATTENDING: Mike Wilson, Pat Coulter, Marion Thayer, Jim Savicki, Janis Owens, George Baird, Fenna Hanes, Judi Vose, David Amory, and Susan Fontaine.
Topics Discussed:
Guest Speaker – Jim Savicki:
Jim will look into inviting a guest speaker on solar power to a Sustainable Duxbury meeting.
NOTE: MassCEC is extending the rebate program for solar hot water. Go to http://www.masscec.com/index.cfm/cdid/12710/pid/11150 for more information.
Treasurer’s Report – Marion Thayer:
We have approximately $3,770 and are in the process of switching accounts and records to the new Treasurer, Beth Hudacko. George reports that all of the dues letters have been sent, about 72.
New Web Site and Blog – Janis Owens:
Thanks to hard work by JanisO and Makai McClintock our new web site is up and running on a new host. Check it out at: www.sustainableduxbury.org/ Host fees are paid through 2014. Send anything you want posted to Janis. Janis will look into broadening the search tags so that our site is easily found.
Community Garden Update – Jim Savicki:
The 1/27 organizing meeting went well. Despite it being mid-winter, people are signing up to reserve plots for this summer. We will start planning for fencing, etc., when we get 10 people signed up which should be soon, so if you are interested contact Jim S. ASAP. Go to our Events page for more information.
Jim printed flyers and hung 20 around town. Members volunteered to hang more flyers.
We decided to restrict plots to Duxbury residents for now. The land (approximately 120’x60’) can accommodate up to 14-16 gardeners, but we will start with 12. A plot costs $50 a year, which is the least expensive in town. Jim sent a soil sample out for testing. Island Creek Oysters has pledged $1,000 for fencing. Additional action items: stake out, design, and fence plots, find out how much manure we need, and find someone to plow and harrow the land.
School Initiative – Fenna, JimS:
The Middle School has installed the donated Hydration Station but has decided to not purchase another.
Fenna reports a scheduling conflict at the High School with the event Duxury Honors Olga Owens Huckins and Rachael Carson, 5/27, 10-3. Also, she found that we need to be more specific about what we would like students to do rather than having them propose ideas. One possibility is to have a student videotape the celebration. Judi will join Fenna at the next meeting with the schools.
Fenna told us about a teaching curriculum, designed for Middle Schools and higher, on Marine and Freshwater Aquaculture, that she will propose to the public and Montessori schools in town.
Silent Spring Celebration – Judi Vose:
Duxbury is the site of the bird sanctuary where the key environmental book Silent Spring, whose 50’th anniversary is this year, was inspired. Judi is organizing a celebration, Duxury Honors Olga Owens Huckins and Rachael Carson, 5/27, 10-3, which will take place on the property, called the Spring House, where these historic events occurred. Roger Payne, the founder of Ocean Alliance, and his wife, actress Lisa Harrow, will be on the panel of 7 notable environmentalists and authors at the celebration. Plimouth Plantation will also host an event in conjunction with the celebration. Pat Coulter offered to ask St. John Church for the additional chairs that Judi needs for the festival
Sustainable Duxbury Wind Subcommittee – Jim S., Janis O., Susan Fontaine:
The anti-wind turbine group in Duxbury gave 2 presentations on the proposed wind turbine by-law changes to the Planning Board and will be giving additional presentations to the Financial Committee (2/7) and Board of Selectmen (2/13). Any resident can speak at the meetings. If we want wind turbines to remain possible in Duxbury, then we need to speak out.
The wind subcommittee will send out information to help members interested in writing to local newspapers or speaking at public meetings.
The Mass Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Public Health have released their Independent Report on Potential Health Effects of Wind Turbines. The press release with a summary of its findings and a link to the full report is at:
http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/press/0112wind.htm
Among the key findings: “There is no evidence for a set of health effects from exposure to wind turbines that could be characterized as a "Wind Turbine Syndrome." “
A public comment period on the report is open until Monday, March 19 at 5 p.m. Information on how to submit comments is at the above link. Also there will be a public comment meeting Thursday, February 16, from 5–8 p.m. at the Bourne High School, Beth Bourne Auditorium, 75 Waterhouse Road, Bourne
The AEC will host a presentation on Stretch Codes at the 2/7 meeting, 7:00 (not the usual 7:30), Senior Center. The Town Meeting must pass the codes, which are stricter building codes, before Duxbury can gain Green Community status.
Susan Fontaine, Secretary.
Topics Discussed:
Guest Speaker – Jim Savicki:
Jim will look into inviting a guest speaker on solar power to a Sustainable Duxbury meeting.
NOTE: MassCEC is extending the rebate program for solar hot water. Go to http://www.masscec.com/index.cfm/cdid/12710/pid/11150 for more information.
Treasurer’s Report – Marion Thayer:
We have approximately $3,770 and are in the process of switching accounts and records to the new Treasurer, Beth Hudacko. George reports that all of the dues letters have been sent, about 72.
New Web Site and Blog – Janis Owens:
Thanks to hard work by JanisO and Makai McClintock our new web site is up and running on a new host. Check it out at: www.sustainableduxbury.org/ Host fees are paid through 2014. Send anything you want posted to Janis. Janis will look into broadening the search tags so that our site is easily found.
Community Garden Update – Jim Savicki:
The 1/27 organizing meeting went well. Despite it being mid-winter, people are signing up to reserve plots for this summer. We will start planning for fencing, etc., when we get 10 people signed up which should be soon, so if you are interested contact Jim S. ASAP. Go to our Events page for more information.
Jim printed flyers and hung 20 around town. Members volunteered to hang more flyers.
We decided to restrict plots to Duxbury residents for now. The land (approximately 120’x60’) can accommodate up to 14-16 gardeners, but we will start with 12. A plot costs $50 a year, which is the least expensive in town. Jim sent a soil sample out for testing. Island Creek Oysters has pledged $1,000 for fencing. Additional action items: stake out, design, and fence plots, find out how much manure we need, and find someone to plow and harrow the land.
School Initiative – Fenna, JimS:
The Middle School has installed the donated Hydration Station but has decided to not purchase another.
Fenna reports a scheduling conflict at the High School with the event Duxury Honors Olga Owens Huckins and Rachael Carson, 5/27, 10-3. Also, she found that we need to be more specific about what we would like students to do rather than having them propose ideas. One possibility is to have a student videotape the celebration. Judi will join Fenna at the next meeting with the schools.
Fenna told us about a teaching curriculum, designed for Middle Schools and higher, on Marine and Freshwater Aquaculture, that she will propose to the public and Montessori schools in town.
Silent Spring Celebration – Judi Vose:
Duxbury is the site of the bird sanctuary where the key environmental book Silent Spring, whose 50’th anniversary is this year, was inspired. Judi is organizing a celebration, Duxury Honors Olga Owens Huckins and Rachael Carson, 5/27, 10-3, which will take place on the property, called the Spring House, where these historic events occurred. Roger Payne, the founder of Ocean Alliance, and his wife, actress Lisa Harrow, will be on the panel of 7 notable environmentalists and authors at the celebration. Plimouth Plantation will also host an event in conjunction with the celebration. Pat Coulter offered to ask St. John Church for the additional chairs that Judi needs for the festival
Sustainable Duxbury Wind Subcommittee – Jim S., Janis O., Susan Fontaine:
The anti-wind turbine group in Duxbury gave 2 presentations on the proposed wind turbine by-law changes to the Planning Board and will be giving additional presentations to the Financial Committee (2/7) and Board of Selectmen (2/13). Any resident can speak at the meetings. If we want wind turbines to remain possible in Duxbury, then we need to speak out.
The wind subcommittee will send out information to help members interested in writing to local newspapers or speaking at public meetings.
The Mass Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Public Health have released their Independent Report on Potential Health Effects of Wind Turbines. The press release with a summary of its findings and a link to the full report is at:
http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/press/0112wind.htm
Among the key findings: “There is no evidence for a set of health effects from exposure to wind turbines that could be characterized as a "Wind Turbine Syndrome." “
A public comment period on the report is open until Monday, March 19 at 5 p.m. Information on how to submit comments is at the above link. Also there will be a public comment meeting Thursday, February 16, from 5–8 p.m. at the Bourne High School, Beth Bourne Auditorium, 75 Waterhouse Road, Bourne
The AEC will host a presentation on Stretch Codes at the 2/7 meeting, 7:00 (not the usual 7:30), Senior Center. The Town Meeting must pass the codes, which are stricter building codes, before Duxbury can gain Green Community status.
Susan Fontaine, Secretary.
January 4, 2012
ATTENDING: George Baird, Anne Baird, Janis Owens, Jim Savicki, Marion Thayer, Fenna Hanes, Mike Wilson, and Susan Fontaine.
Topics Discussed:
Sustainable Duxbury Officer Elections:
The nominees were approved unanimously. Fenna Hanes replaces Jim Savicki as co-chair; Beth Hudako replaces Marion Thayer as Treasurer; Susan Fontaine was approved as Secretary.
Community Garden Update – Ann Baird:
Ann has arranged a meeting with the land’s trustee to discuss plans with interested town residents on 1/27, 10am, at the Senior Center. We would like to know how much support there is in town for a community garden before investing lots of time and effort. Ann has emailed the information to the residents interested in our previous community garden project. Jim S put a brief article in the Clipper describing the project and asking interested residents to contact Ann or Jim S. Susan F and Carol Langford will share the information with the Community Garden Club.
Before the trustee meeting on 1/27, Jim S will meet with the trustee’s lawyer to iron out some details.
We discussed ground rules for the Community Garden starting with the draft from our previous community garden project. Our eventual goal is to have members of the Community Garden take over and manage the project.
We discussed asking the High School and Boy Scouts for young people interested in helping us prepare the garden. We have plots to lay-out, and walkways and fencing to build.
School Initiative – Fenna:
Chandler School Garden – Brook Fleming and Jim S met with the Chandler school council mand discussed ways we could help them integrate plans for a school garden into their plans for using the courtyard. This work is continuing.
Middle School Hydration Station – Jim S. brought together a town resident who has a free Hydration Station to donate and school officials who want a Hydration Station for the Middle School. The PTO has decided they will fund a second station and the installation of both stations. All four stations will be moved to the new school and hopefully there will be no machines dispensing bottled water in the new building.
Fenna H will talk with the teacher who handles Senior Projects and Community Service about finding students interested in helping Judy Vose with the Rachel Carson Celebration May 27 and, possibly, with the Community Garden.
Membership and Dues - George Baird:
George is drafting a letter to tell Sustainable Duxbury that it is time to renew membership for 2012 and send dues of $20 to Beth Hudako or Marion Thayer. The letter should be sent by the end of Jan.
Sustainable Duxbury Wind Subcommittee – Jim S., Janis O.:
Two articles proposing major changes to the town’s current wind turbine by-law are on the warrant for the 3/10/2012 town meeting. If passed, these changes will effectively ban wind turbines in Duxbury.
Janis has drafted a brochure explaining why we want wind power. Sub-committee members will speak in support of the current by-law at the Planning Board public hearing on 1/9. The sub-committee is planning a to work with the AEC to fight the by-law change prior to the March 10th town meeting.
George thanked JimS and Dick for their wonderful contributions to the Clipper on wind turbines.
Petition for Repairs to Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant – Fenna:
Fenna passed around a citizen’s petition for a Special Town Meeting Warrant Article. The Article adds Duxbury to a list of local towns requesting a freeze of the relicensing process until certain repairs are made to the Pilgrim Nuclear Power. Pilgrim is the same design and age as the Fukushima Plant in Japan. The repairs are intended to prevent Pilgrim from experiencing problems similar to what happened in 2011 at Fukushima (e.g. core meltdown, explosions, massive release of radiation). If passed, the warrant will allow Duxbury to ask the NRC to make Pilgrim relicensing contingent on these repairs. Call Fenna for more information or to sign the petition.
Susan Fontaine, Secretary.
Topics Discussed:
Sustainable Duxbury Officer Elections:
The nominees were approved unanimously. Fenna Hanes replaces Jim Savicki as co-chair; Beth Hudako replaces Marion Thayer as Treasurer; Susan Fontaine was approved as Secretary.
Community Garden Update – Ann Baird:
Ann has arranged a meeting with the land’s trustee to discuss plans with interested town residents on 1/27, 10am, at the Senior Center. We would like to know how much support there is in town for a community garden before investing lots of time and effort. Ann has emailed the information to the residents interested in our previous community garden project. Jim S put a brief article in the Clipper describing the project and asking interested residents to contact Ann or Jim S. Susan F and Carol Langford will share the information with the Community Garden Club.
Before the trustee meeting on 1/27, Jim S will meet with the trustee’s lawyer to iron out some details.
We discussed ground rules for the Community Garden starting with the draft from our previous community garden project. Our eventual goal is to have members of the Community Garden take over and manage the project.
We discussed asking the High School and Boy Scouts for young people interested in helping us prepare the garden. We have plots to lay-out, and walkways and fencing to build.
School Initiative – Fenna:
Chandler School Garden – Brook Fleming and Jim S met with the Chandler school council mand discussed ways we could help them integrate plans for a school garden into their plans for using the courtyard. This work is continuing.
Middle School Hydration Station – Jim S. brought together a town resident who has a free Hydration Station to donate and school officials who want a Hydration Station for the Middle School. The PTO has decided they will fund a second station and the installation of both stations. All four stations will be moved to the new school and hopefully there will be no machines dispensing bottled water in the new building.
Fenna H will talk with the teacher who handles Senior Projects and Community Service about finding students interested in helping Judy Vose with the Rachel Carson Celebration May 27 and, possibly, with the Community Garden.
Membership and Dues - George Baird:
George is drafting a letter to tell Sustainable Duxbury that it is time to renew membership for 2012 and send dues of $20 to Beth Hudako or Marion Thayer. The letter should be sent by the end of Jan.
Sustainable Duxbury Wind Subcommittee – Jim S., Janis O.:
Two articles proposing major changes to the town’s current wind turbine by-law are on the warrant for the 3/10/2012 town meeting. If passed, these changes will effectively ban wind turbines in Duxbury.
Janis has drafted a brochure explaining why we want wind power. Sub-committee members will speak in support of the current by-law at the Planning Board public hearing on 1/9. The sub-committee is planning a to work with the AEC to fight the by-law change prior to the March 10th town meeting.
George thanked JimS and Dick for their wonderful contributions to the Clipper on wind turbines.
Petition for Repairs to Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant – Fenna:
Fenna passed around a citizen’s petition for a Special Town Meeting Warrant Article. The Article adds Duxbury to a list of local towns requesting a freeze of the relicensing process until certain repairs are made to the Pilgrim Nuclear Power. Pilgrim is the same design and age as the Fukushima Plant in Japan. The repairs are intended to prevent Pilgrim from experiencing problems similar to what happened in 2011 at Fukushima (e.g. core meltdown, explosions, massive release of radiation). If passed, the warrant will allow Duxbury to ask the NRC to make Pilgrim relicensing contingent on these repairs. Call Fenna for more information or to sign the petition.
Susan Fontaine, Secretary.
