Minutes from Meeting of August 4, 2010

SUSTAINABLE DUXBURY
SUMMARY OF MEETING
August 4, 2010

ATTENDING: Jim Savicki, Janis Owens, Beth Hudacko, Holly Groelle, and Susan Fontaine.

Topics Discussed:

1. Alternative Engergy Committee meeting, 6/20, Jim Savicki:
AEC hosted an exciting talk by Kevin Schulte of Sustainable Energy Development, a company that sells and installs wind turbines. He thinks the MET tower is an unnecessary step in Duxbury and that by skipping it the wind turbine could be supplying electricity much sooner.

2. Sustainable Duxbury blog, Janis Owens:
Janis has set up a blog for Sustainable Duxbury. You can find it at sustainableduxbury.blogspot.com check it out and post a comment!

3. Edible Wild Plant Walk by John Root, Saturday, 7/24:
The Wild Plant Walk, which we helped publicize, was a success with more than 40 people of all ages attending. Check out his website: http://www.johnroot.net. There is some great information about what plants can be eaten from the wild, the wild that surrounds us every day.

4. Types of grass doing well this summer, Holly, Jim, Beth:
It was suggested that we gather data on which grass varieties do well in this summer’s harsh conditions. The data could be useful for decreasing lawn watering. Has anyone seen results of using the “Pearls Premium” seed that you purchased last year?? Or other types that you can suggest?

5. Island Creek Festival Saturday, 9/11, 3-11 pm, Jim Savicki:
The Green Team, being managed by Jim S., Judi V , and Mike W., needs 50 volunteers. Volunteers get free entry into the festival (worth $50) and High School volunteers get community credit for donating 3 hours of time. Volunteers will also be needed 9/12 for next day clean-up. Go to the Island Creek web site to register as a volunteer by Aug 15th and be eligible for great prizes!! http://www.islandcreekfoundation.org/festival/volunteer

6. Plastic Bottle and Bags won the vote for the next Sustainable Duxbury project, Jim Savicki:
Eighteen people voted. Plastic bottles and bags got 15 votes, anti-idling 9, and town composting and promoting biking tied with 7. We briefly discussed how to eliminate bottled water sales at the High School. Jim will find out if the proceeds from the bottled water vending machine support any High School programs. We discussed alternatives to bottled water such as a spigot with enough clearance to fill water bottles or something more sophisticated that would provide filtered and/or chilled water. We briefly discussed the possibility of sponsoring a community pledge to not use plastic bottles or bags.

7. Disposal of items that are not currently covered by recycling, Holly Groelle:
Holly presented her strong concerns about the lack of an environmentally responsible way to dispose of certain highly polluting trash, such as medicines, batteries, and light bulbs. Jim S. will find out if the transfer station has special battery disposal. Holly is working with a group in Boston on the issue of medication disposal as there appears to be no non-polluting method currently available.

8. The 350 .org people ( who sponsored Hands Across the Sand ) are planning a “Global Work Day” for 10/10/10. We will be deciding in September if we want to be part of this event by doing something locally to have a direct effect (albeit small) on climate change. Check out the 350.org site and let us know your thoughts anytime.

9. Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 1. Have a great August !!