Environmental Council Meeting--December 6, 2012
1) Expand Recycling
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- SCAPE recently met with Sam Tarnasky and Martha Clizbe to establish recycling in the Barn. There are currently temporary signs on the bins outside the Snack Bar that need to be finalized. SCAPE requested that Ms. Tarnasky check with VMA about signage and about any permanent bins for upstairs in the Barn. The EC also asked Mr. Schnoor and Mr. Meigs to pursue the need for a clear recycling signage and set up in the Barn with the PRC.
- LeAnne updated the EC on her progress with the greenhouse gas inventory and asked EC members for suggestions of ways that we can lower our ghg emissions.
- We discussed how we might alter our participation in the Green Cup Challenge for Energy. Mrs. Siegenthaler noted that it would be much better if we could extend our energy conservation to every week, not just the 4 week emphasis of the GCC. We would like to address long term energy conservation behavior at Millbrook. There could be students who do a weekly energy inspection of the dorms and major common spaces/meters. Dorms that do the best would be rewarded, based on long term energy conservation in their dorms. Mrs. Meigs and Mr. Lewis will meet to discuss further ideas and revisions to the GCC. We might not sign up for the traditional GCC, but rather develop our own internal energy conservation competition and program.
- Composting in winter—Mr. Belotti will pick up composting daily on Mondays-Thursdays during the winter months to prevent the issue of frozen compost in the buckets that cannot easily be removed. Mr. Schnoor noted that we need to ask the architects and PRC to set aside space and facilities for composting in the design of the new dining hall. He will bring up this point with the PRC.
- We sent a memo on net zero energy design for buildings to Drew Casertano. Mr. Casertano said that he would share the memo with VMA. We hope that Mr. Meigs will bring this topic up with the PRC on Dec 11, 2012. See attached memo on net zero building design and how this would help us lower our ghg emissions. • We also suggested installing PV panels on the southern exposure of the proposed new dining hall.
- Mrs. Pope discussed the Winter Hoop garden project and mentioned a few fundraising possibilities. SCAPE will write a proposal requesting funding from the Student Council.
- Mr. Schnoor mentioned that current plans for a new Maintenance Center would likely take out the current raised bed community garden. The EC recommends that if new construction removes the community garden that plans be made to ensure a suitable replacement garden for the community and that Ms. Pope and the EC can be part of any garden reconstruction and planning.
- Ashlyn Kang informed the group about the recent SCAPE field trip to NYC.
- Bog Turtle Project meeting with NRCS will happen on Dec 11, 2012. Mrs. Meigs and Dr. Tousignant will attend.
- We need to have a discussion of the proposed revision of the school mission statement. We ran out of time to have this discussion at this meeting.
