Green Acton monthly meeting
7pm • online
Attendees: Debra Simes, Karen Watkins, Sue, Danny Factor, Jane Moosbruker, Mike Boss, Jim Snyder-Grant, Caroline Tripp, Kim Kastens, Carolyn Platt, Matt Liebman, Chris Edwards, Paul Swydan, Kara Lafferty, Melissa LePorto
AGENDA
• Housekeeping (welcome + tasks)
• Check-in
• Committee reports https://groups.google.com/u/3/g/green-acton-announcements/c/rpXkAVMXLHk
Energy Committee– Debra said that the focus has been on Acton Power Choice. Folks from the ACC have joined in as well as Andrea Bacerra, the Sustainability Director. They also started to talk about moving the town buildings/accounts to energy APC Green- this is in draft budget for next year. Jim also gave an update on the “Building with Clean Energy” campaign.
Water Committee– There is a new web post about dam removal. Kim and Debra were interviewed by Acton TV. Questions were sent to Erika Amir-Lin running this year for the Acton Water District commissioner. Also, the committee is pursuing equality for low income families related to water use and cost.
Land Use Committee– They are making final comments on the Town’s Housing Production Plan. They are also working actively on how to value public shade trees (plus how to review tree impacts as part of building), including comments to the Design Review Board on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Another bylaw is being discussed to protect private trees. Two housing projects are being addressed by the Planning Board on Tuesday, March 16th, and GA members are asked to attend.
Plastics Committee– The panel on plastics netted an attendance of 120 people. The League of Women Voters were pleased to collaborate with Green Acton. There is also a Town “Talking Trash” on Thursday, March 18th from 7:00-8:15pm.
W. R. Grace– The committee will meet to discuss possible land use
Sustainability Working Group– The GAB (Green Advisory Board) is meeting a week from now to address the Climate Action Plan that will need comments from Green Acton.
• Questions + responses / open mic / comments & queries
Kim suggested that the Energy Committee might want to talk to the Acton Water District about their extensive energy uses. It would be good to approach them about APC Green. They are buying new gas vehicles and gas lines to buildings. After their solar panel project, it might be good to approach them. They do not want to cost the ratepayers any higher rates. Debra asked about the AWD annual meeting. Sue asked about how the AWD fits into the town structure. The AWD is a separate entity run more like a business with three elected commissioners. Kim mentioned that a warrant article might need to go to Town Meeting to make big changes. It is something a lawyer might need to look at whether warrants are possible for the AWD. Debra asked what state entity authorizes municipal water districts. Kim said that it is Mass DEP, as far as she knows. Water District Meeting is May 5, 2021.
Mike had a comment for the Land Use Committee. There was a mention of Green Acton changing from 501C-3. Danny said that it is not ready for discussion yet. It came up in relation to municipal government issues. It will be discussed then it would come to the steering committee.
Materials Committee- Kim asked that the committee research the possibility of more battery recycling. Mike took rechargeable batteries to the health department and they accepted them.
• Paul Swydan of Friends of Gardner Field: project update and request
We had a survey of the field in West Acton across the street from Village Works. Surrounded by homes on two sides and water district land. The crown jewel of West Acton. Worked with Lemon Brook to do the plan for the park. He is happy to take questions. The schematic was shared demonstrating the highlights and changes. The goal is to concentrate the playground and splash pad to a smaller part of the field. Right now everything is spread out like separate islands that are falling into disrepair. Second, they wanted to add a parking area so that people from other parts of Acton feel welcome and to include accessibility parking. The Farmers Market could also be held there. The parking area would allow better access to set up for events like Octoberfest. They hope to see all generations utilize the park.
Sue: What can we do for you? Paul said that they would love Green Acton’’s endorsement. Endorsements might help win funding from the CPC (Community Preservation). Jane asked about location. Right now the park is a bit of a mystery because it is hidden by invasive shrubs. The time frame is dependent on funding. Asking for $350,000 in 2021 and in 2022. If all $700,000 comes through, then it could be finished by the end of 2022. What would an endorsement actually mean? Kara mentioned that the respect gained by Green Acton would make a difference, especially because some people may question the parking lot. We would try to do the parking with a permeable surface. If GA supported our overall design with understanding and with suggestions, that would be helpful. Paul mentioned that the parking has gotten a LOT of thought. They have decided on 14 spaces.
Mike is a bit uncomfortable about endorsing without knowing about all the aspects of the proposal. Danny’s concern is that the endorsement should be contingent on the parking area being non-impervious. Maybe an endorsement is a bit premature. Kim asked about how the water for the splash pad has been resolved. It has not been resolved because it would be the last phase. All that is decided is the location of the splash pad. Kim also asked if there will still be room for yoga class! Paul said for sure! Jim mentioned that he is fine with an endorsement. Terra would like to endorse with a request that the parking be permeable. Sue suggested that we take another meeting to discuss this. Debra asked who knows the most about the paving options. Kara is the lead person. Because it is a historical district, they also have to approve the paving. Debra will start working on the endorsement language to bring to the next meeting.
• Land Use Comm: review (for approval?) Powder Mill project position
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LA117BS9dz1szlWgTT_Bc5fzgIOGA39VCZhrxVmgSaM/edit
LUC wants to ask GA’s endorsement for a position opposing the 67 Powdermill Road development. The concerns are that the project
- Does not jive with the town’s sustainability plan. 15-30 trees will be cut down. Green Acton’s housing policy supports affordable and accessible housing, but this project is neither. No accessibility for 2nd level. People who work at Stop n Shop would value affordable housing. The buildings’ parcel is alongside the Assabet River. The access would go through the senior center parking lot. But perhaps the most important issue is developing a parcel so close to the river.
- Jim is the BoS liaison to this project, so he cannot express an opinion. He is abstaining from the discussion and the vote.
- Debra thinks the third bit about access through the senior center lot is not our purview. We should concentrate on the environmental and well-living aspects of the project. Danny is willing to remove that, though he thinks it helps to build bridges with the commission on accessibility. Kim agrees with Debra. The building is ridiculous, but we should keep our comments within our area of expertise. If possible, she would also like bullet 2 to be more strongly environmental. (E.g., we do not need to comment on the elevators.) Terra feels that accessibility is part of environmental justice, but she would be alright with removing the 3rd point as long as accessibility is mentioned at some point. Danny agrees with the comments that we focus on environmental factors. Maybe mention more about materiais and the fossil fuels that will heat the building.
- Sue suggested provisional approval subject to circulating the final draft by the directors. The group approved this approach with Jim Snyder-Grant abstaining. Apprisal only will be the way this proceeds.
• Event/action announcements
> Planning Board 3/16 mtg on 22 Elm Street PCRC project; Design
Review Board 3/9 mtg + Planning Board 4/14 mtg, both on public
shade tree protection and valuation
> GA on Acton TV’s Acton in Focus: Debra and Kim were fantastic! Go to the website to watch the interview. Kim mentioned that the BioBlitz might be a great interview for her! But be sure to bring some visuals.
> Acton Boxborough BioBlitz, April 30–May 3 (see flier below)
• Checkout for anyone leaving meeting before ADMIN section
• ADMIN:
> GA Social Media policy discussion
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y7damkvIJZJ7TJbA6e3Z9WSlb77FiI0lB3n7S-3Qfr4/edit
• Checkout
Social Media:
(See Social media policy draft: https://bit.ly/30zCnUx )
Sue mentioned that these points were raised by all of us. Jim’s presentation was a distillation.
Jim asked about balance of careful vs. loose.
Danny: favors loose (OK?) but…use disclaimers
Terra: Be bold but check with committee with expertise
Debra: Be accurate, use disclaimers: they make me want to be looser. Not sure about need to go to committee before posting. What guardrails should we use?
Kim: Not enthusiastic about bringing potential posts to committees
Terra: Not in favor of vetting everything. But certain things must be vetted.
Danny: Some concerns with greenwashed orgs on land use. Until we have consensus on what is out there, we have to say the jury is out, eg. disclaimer needed. Otherwise, it will appear like a Green Acton endorsement. For land use, maybe we should discuss this and send warning over to admin about certain orgs., that they should first check with us.
Debra: It’s more nuanced than that these guys are good, these guys are not. Some consensus on standards (?) would be helpful.
Mike: I don’t understand some of what we are discussing. Twitter, Facebook under Green Acton? Who can post? I like controversy. By having someone posting about ABC and others educating: that’s good. I’m worried that we have insufficient outreach. Doing something is better than nothing. Why not encourage it and then review.
Sue: Reminder that we can change our minds if it doesn’t work. Some are still trying to figure out what we think. Admin will go be over this conversation.
Debra: Send feedback to Admin.
Danny: This was one of the best run meetings.
Thanks to all.