Town of Hopkinton, NH - Greener Hopkinton Meeting Minutes

Present: Will Hastings, Diane Hastings, Roland Dubois, Byron Carr, Mary Leadbeater, Susan Covert, Bethann McCarthy, Don Lane, Liz Corrigan, Jack Rudermen, Cass Mellen, Janet Ward

-Bethann discussed the Greener Hopkinton Earth Day display at the Hopkinton Town Library which includes a statement describing the aims and accomplishments of GH. Contributions to the display were shared by Carol, Don and Roland. Liz will assist with the set up of the display case.

-Janet reported that arrangements for payment of the $252 to Constant Contact to facilitate our e-newsletter are still in progress. Selectman Jim O’Brien will clarify how best to finance this educational initiative in cooperation with the Recycling Committee. Volunteer editor Diane Hastings made clear once again that the Recycling Committee will be free to submit information critical to their mission.

Don Lane suggested that Webster residents might appreciate having the opportunity to be included in the e-newsletter circulation.

-The Committee decided that presentations explaining the Town-Wide Energy Audit and the Eco-House Parties should follow Gary Hirshberg’s talk at the Eco-Fair on Sept. 14.

-Susan Covert answered Janet’s request for assistance in organizing our Sept. 14 Eco-Fair. Other volunteers are warmly welcome.

-Diane noted that she had been invited by the Contoocook Methodist Church to talk about the efforts of her church, St. Theresa’s in Henniker, to become more environmentally responsible. The Committee recommended that Janet contact Gordon Crouch of First Congregational Church, Hopkinton, to see if an ecumenical discussion of sustainability might be considered at one of the monthly meetings of Hopkinton/Contoocook churches.

-Will reported that styrofoam trays are still being used in the cafeteria. Susan agreed to discuss the situation with David Luneau and Will and Cass agreed to discuss a Hawk Talk on the subject with Steve Chamberlin. Will agreed to ask Max Lanocha if he might be willing to present such a Hawk Talk to the student body.

-Mary reported that the Recycling Committee will meet with the Selectmen on Monday, April 28 at 6 PM. GH members were invited to attend to show their support for the RC committee. Mary also noted that the Selectmen will be presented with petitions supporting a satellite recycling center in town.

-NH DOT is sponsoring a Bike/Walk or Carpool Day on May 16. The Committee decided that newspapers should be encouraged to publicize this effort. Bethann volunteered to call Shira Shoenberg of the Concord Monitor, and the editors of the Villager and The Bow Times to publicize this effort. Roland will ask Natalie (Safe Routes to School Coordinator) to encourage parents to walk children to school on this date.

-Will discussed the possibility of students biking to school on May 16. Mary suggested locking bikes to the chain link fence surrounding Spirit Park as there are not enough bike racks at the high school at present. Will will discuss this with Steve Chamberlin.

-Janet noted that the Economic Development Committee is in need of a new member. Possible commercial development in town was discussed. Janet and Bethann will brainstorm environmentally-friendly development. Don suggested that John Boatwright be approached for information regarding possibilities.

-Janet was again encouraged to contact Concord Area Transit about a Hopkinton bus link. Laura Marron will be asked to explore ways to encourage ride sharing to Concord. Byron recommended that Janet discuss Hopkinton employees who drive to and from large employers like Concord Hospital before approaching CAT. Mary noted that a jitney bus used to pick passengers up all along 202. This is another possibility to consider.

-Yankee Book has done a great deal to reduce their energy use. Mary Jo McGowan is the contact person for this effort. Janet was asked to contact Mary with a view to having her present strategies to the school administrators who have recently completed their school energy audits.

-Roland noted that a new EPA energy audit tool is now available to assess Sewage Treatment Plants. Janet was directed to check with Steve Clough to see if he is aware of this.