greennews 7-8-12 red

7/31/2019 GreenNEWS 7-8-12 Red

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/greennews-7-8-12-red 1/6

green newsNEWSLETTER OF GREEN DECADE / NEWTON

VOL.22 - NO. 4 JULY/AUG 2012

Over 20 Years of Environmental Leadership 1990 - 2012

Touring Rumford AvenueOn a mostly damp and drizzly day in early May,

Newton citizens gathered to hear Elaine Gentile, Directorof Environmental Affairs, and Courtney Forrester, RecyclingManager for the City of Newton, lead tours of the compost-ing facility at the Rumford Avenue Resource RecoveryCenter. The Rumford Center is the site of a former landllthat was discontinued in 1975 and was capped in 1997. Amongits many current functions, the Resource Recovery Centerserves as a household hazardous waste collection site and aRecycling Depot. It also is a composting facility for leavescollected from city properties and from yard waste gathered

curbside in Newton (but not including food waste). Moreinformation is available at the website: www.newtonma.gov/gov/dpw/recycling/depot/accepted.asp

As we surveyed the Rumford property, we saw pile uponpile of compost arranged in huge rows that marched up thelandll mountain. Elaine called them windrows—compostmounds in various stages of development arranged in whatwere called oors: rst oor, second oor, third oor etc.When the windrows oors reached the top of the mountain,the material was placed in a curing pile for one additionalmonth. Then front-end loaders delivered well-digestedcompost to a Trommel screening machine to turn out thecompost gold. It is then available to Newton residents for

free and sold for various projects including roof top gardensin Boston, Harvard University, Alewife Brook Parkway,MBTA, Fenway Park, and organic farms and nurseries toname a few.

In the course of our tour of the facility, we received a tutorialfrom Michael Bleakie from Lion’s Head Organics, the guruwho oversees the development of compost. Good compostdepends on good aeration, and adequate moisture fordeveloping the 140 to 150 degrees F. necessary to kill weedseeds and even many herbicides and pesticides. Thatprocess provides the microorganisms that turn waste to life-giving compost the right conditions to thrive. “A tablespoon

of compost,” Bleakie told us, “contains about 6 million ofthese tiny microbes.”Other keys to the composting process are the two Allu

Buckets in the shape of a steam shovel with mechanical teethand paddles. They swallow and masticate compost rawmaterial and then spit it back out to hasten the break downprocess. As a result, Elaine said, “what used to take us ayear and one half to a year and three quarters before is nowtaking us about nine months. And we are actually trying toget that down to about 5 months.”

Just to make the distinction clear, the recyclables and trash

that are collected curbside from Newton residences (greenfor recycle, blue for trash) don’t go to Rumford. Trash goesto Wheelabrator Saugus, a waste-to-energy facility locatedin Saugus, MA. Trash is incinerated and the energy sold onelectric grids. Recyclables go to Recycle America in thetown of Avon, MA.

The day ended with a Home Composting 101 workshop led by our other tour guide of the morning, Courtney ForresterHeld in Newton City Hall’s War Memorial Auditorium, theCourtney reviewed key concepts for home composting,which small compost containers are available for purchase

and described how to build your own composter. The fourkey conditions for success echoed what we had learnedearlier in the day. For good compost you need suitablefood: carbon from leaves, straw, salt marsh hay, shreddedpaper or cardboard and grass clippings, vegetable and fruitwastes for nitrogen. And you need moisture, aeration, andproper shelter. As we ended the evening, Green Decadepresident, Marcia Cooper, discussed possible new compostinitiatives for Newton Schools in collaboration with theDepartment of Public Works and the Newton SchoolDepartment. by Ken Mallory

Hang on tight ! Rumford Avenue Resource Recovery Center sights on the tour



PAGE 2 JULY/AUG 2012

Air conditioner maintenancemeans cool savings

During warm weather months, smart decisions aboutyour home’s air conditioning (HVAC) system will help youcut energy costs and reduce climate change. A dirty lterslows down air ow and makes the system work harder tokeep you warm or cool, so check your lter once a month

and if it looks dirty, change it. At a minimum, change thelter every 3 months. A clean lter prevents dust and dirt build up in the system that can cause costly maintenanceand system failure.

A yearly tune-up of your cooling system can improveefciency and comfort. If your cooling equipment is more than 10years old, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor. Ifit is not performing efciently or needs upgrading, considerreplacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR®.

Depending on where you live, replacing your old coolingequipment with ENERGY STAR® qualied equipment cancut your annual energy bill by nearly $200. But before you

invest in a new HVAC system, make sure that you haveaddressed any big air leaks in your house and the duct system.To save energy and money on your air conditioning use

a programmable thermostat and turn up the temperaturesetting to at least 78 degrees or higher.

During cooler weather, use the central system fan without theAC cooling—this can provide enough air movement to makeyou comfortable without the extra energy required to run the ACcompressor. Prevent unnecessary heat loss, by removing window aircondition units before the cooler weather. For more tips on efcientheating and cooling, visit Mass Save website: www.masssave.com

Katherine Howard, founder of the Newton Tree Conservancy, accepts theEnvironmental Leadership Award, along with her colleagues Julia Malakie andPenny Caponigro on May 21 at the Newton Free Library, Druker Auditorium.

The Newton Tree Conservancy has formed their non-prot organization for the purpose of raising money forthe preservation and planting of trees in Newton. It was born out of the recognition that the city is not in a positionto cover all the costs necessary to maintain our urban for-est - the trees along our streets and in our parks and otherpublic areas, and that in order to continue to enjoy the eco-nomic and environmental benets of these trees, we musttake action to develop initiatives that will supplement whatcan be supported through the city's budget. The NewtonTree Conservancy seeks to maintain the health of Newton’sexisting trees, as well as plant and care for many new streettrees for the benet of future generations.

Their Mission is to promote the health of Newton's treesthrough:• Funding for planting and care of new trees, as well as preser-vation pruning and tree maintenance that will supplement

- not replace - city funding.• Educational programs to build public awareness of thevalue of trees and the risks of not properly caring for andreplacing trees along streets and in parks and other publicplaces and to help people know how to keep their owntrees healthy.• Training programs and volunteer opportunities to givecitizens an opportunity to participate in tree maintenanceand planting.We honor The Newton Tree Conservancy for their signi-cant contributions.

Annual environmental leadershipaward to an organization

Green Decade/NewtonSummer Ofce Hours:

Mon. & Wed. 2-5 pm at 225 Nevada St, NonantumOur “other ofce” at the Newton Farmers Markets!

Tues., 1:30-6 pm Cold Spring Park Fri., 12 noon-5 pm VFW Post 440,

California St, Nonantum

The Newton Eco-Project has joined the Mayor’s “EnergySmart” initiative to reduce the city’s energy usage 20% by

the year 2020. The program concentrates on municipal,commercial/institutional and residential uses. The Eco-Project coordinates efforts in the residential sector. Throughits work with NSTAR we promote the Mass Save programhelping Newton residents take advantage of economicincentives. When homeowners complete home assessmentsand improvements to reduce their energy bills theycontribute toward the city’s overall energy reduction goals.

Soon the Mayor will join us to celebrate surpassing 750completed energy assessments in Newton. Through ourpartnership with Next Step Living the Eco-Project helpshomeowners schedule free home energy assessments andaccess the 0% ‘Heat Loan’ program, subsidies for insulationand rebates on home heating system equipment. We will

be at tables at the farmers market, village day fairs, andother community events this summer. Sign up for a freehome energy assessment or get information. To schedule anassessment call 866 867-8729 tell them Green Decade sent you.

by Jay Walter

Eco-Project & Cityjoin to promoteenergy efciency A Community

Partnership

E n e r g

yS ma r t N

e w

t o n



Thanks for donations:(contributions received before June 15)FRIENDS: Mary Adelstein, Ana Zarina Asuaje

Solon, Alderman Lisle Baker, Francoise LaMonica,Emily Norton, Ruth Nussbaum, Daphne PetriDONORS: Maria Curcio & Paul AbercrombiePATRONS: Ann & Bob Buxbaum, Elaine Vildzius,Katherine & Ted Gekas, Next Step Living Inc.BENEFACTORS: Hugh Wilkinson, NSTARMAY 31 CELEBRATION HOST DONATIONS: Dr. Charles Abele& Dr. Melanie Mathies, Audrey Cooper, Margie Ross Decter,Kim & Andy Gluck, Richard & Diana Gomberg, Michael,Karen & Maxwelll Hamilton, Carole & Alan Kushnir,Treff LaFleche, Anne Larner, Louise & Bernard Lown,Melvin & Rohna Shoul, Joanne Taub, Barbara & George Whitesides

NEWSLETTER OF THE GREEN DECADE / NEWTON PAGE 3

Maria Rose accepts Green Decade’s leader-ship award for an individual on May 21

John Rosenthal, President, Meredith

Management, Corp receives GreenDecade’s leadership award for a business

Annual Green Decade environmental leadership awardsto an individual and to a business

Individual Maria Rose works forNewton’s Department ofPublic Works as Stormwa-ter Program Manager andEnvironmental Engineer.Recently she passed theFEMA exam to become aCertied Floodplain Man-ager.

One of her singularachievements was to helpdesign a stormwater utilityprogram in Newton, that

Business Meredith Management,Corporation’s recentlyapproved Fenway Centerdevelopment is a "SmartGrowth," transit andsustainable energy-orienteddevelopment that will locatemore than 400 residences,ofces and neighborhood-oriented retail space directlyadjacent to a new YawkeyCommuter Rail Stationwhich will be the state'srst solar powered transitstation, one block from the

MBTA's Kenmore Squareand Fenway Green Line

provides a dedicated and permanent funding source tosustain Newton’s sampling programs and its aging storm-

water infrastructure. Newton was only the 2nd municipal-ity in the State to put such a utility program in place, whichtakes the form of a small fee on all water and sewer billsand completely covers her own salary and benets alongwith that of several DPW staff who work full time scouringand repairing catch-basin and setting curbs.

Green Decade also recognized Maria’s outreach, educa-tional, and volunteer work. Since 2007 she has been oneof the regional coordinators for the annual spring CharlesRiver cleanup, that requires numerous planning meetingswith the Charles River Watershed Association and otherpartners and then recruitment and communications withvolunteer groups, among other tasks. In addition, she has

designed a variety of school programs about the watercycle and stormwater, and she visits Newton schools tospeak to classes several times a year. She also volunteersin her town as a member of the Watertown ConservationCommission and as Chair of the Watertown StormwaterAdvisory Committee.

Green Decade honored Maria for her professional work,for the teaching she does in our schools, and for her work on behalf of our entire region’s civil society and waterways.

Major Discounts on LED

Lights for BusinessesIf you’re responsible for energy costs at a business location,here’s a deal for you. MassSave currently offers big dis-counts on LED light bulbs for business electricity rate payers(not for residential rate payers, sorry). Some bulbs are soheavily subsidized that they cost less than incandescent bulbs, while using much less energy and lasting a lot longerThe net result is big savings for businesses, and a benet to thenvironment. Incentives are listed here: http://arlingtonheet.org/home/maxmedia/public_html/arlingtonheet/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/EFI-mass-save-yer-2.pdf

Stations. The Fenway Center mixed-use developmenthas been designed to connect and integrate into theexisting Fenway, Kenmore, and Longwood Medical Areaneighborhoods by: • Fostering the increased use and capacityof public transportation and decreased reliance on privateautomobiles • Providing a bicycle storage and a bicycleshare station • Strengthening the vitality and quality of lifein the neighborhood • The ve-building complex is designedto be unlike anything now standing in Boston, with solarpanels to generate much of its electricity.

Meredith has also installed solar panels on their own Bridge

Street ofce in Newton and founded “Here Comes the Sun” asolar installer, committed to providing solar energy to non-prots at a lower rate than the grid. They work very closelywith two local non-prot organizations founded by theirPresident John Rosenthal: Stop Handgun Violence commit-ted to the prevention of gun violence and Friends of Boston'sHomeless which develops and funds innovative, solution-oriented programs to help the homeless move beyond shelterand back into the community as independent citizens. GreenDecade thanks Meredith for their signicant contributions.

P h o t o g r a p h e r K e n M a l l o r y



JULY/AUG 2012PAGE 4

Bike Valet at Farmer’s MarketsStarting on Tuesday, July 3, the Farmer’s Market will beopen. Bike Newton will sponsor Free Bicycle Valet Parking,so come by bike and park at the front door! If you or afriend or relative have an hour or two to volunteer to hostour booth any Tuesdays between July 3 and Oct 30, call bikenewton (617) 527-1239.

Monday evening rides are in full swing. Meet atthe main library on Homer Street at 5:45 PM, ride to aninteresting Newton destination. For more specics [email protected]

Newton South& North Highstudents talk abouttheir green projectsat the NewtonLibrary on May 21.

Students show their green side

All donations wentto the Jimmy Fundat Dana-FarberCancer Institute

Green Decade at NewtonHighlands Village Day June 10

7th Annual Pan Mass Challenge Kids Ride: June 16 (Newton-Needham-Brookline) Many kids, many bikes, one mission: cure cancer. Nearly 500 childrenages 3-16 cycled routes tailored just for them: 9-16 year olds rode the 8 or 17 mileride from Newton through Needham and Dover. Younger cyclists circled our 0.9mile Wells Ofce Park Circuit as many times as they liked within 1 ½ hours,while tykes with trikes were on our Tot Loop, a shorter but just as fun ride. RideCoordinator Jena Greaser and Green Decade volunteers were there to cheer them on.

P h o t o g r a p h e r M a r g a r e t F o r d

Have Map, Bike NewtonBike Newton published a Newton Bicycle Map in May.

Copies are available at any of the 6 Newton bicycle shops,at the library, or you can contact [email protected] have one delivered to your home. The comprehensivemap details popular destinations throughout all Newton’svillages, and estimates the level of difculty of many major

routes. The intent of the map is to encourage riders andpotential cyclists to use their bikes to do local errands—shop for groceries, go to schools and lessons, and visitfriends and neighbors, instead of going by car.

Bike Newton’s mission is to make Newton a bicycle-friendly city. We’re working with various city departmentsto educate motorists and cyclists that “same roads, samerules” apply to all Newton’s roads. Statistically, increased bicycle ridership attracts motorists’ attention and makes theroads safer for all users. We also began a safety educationprogram at F A Day Middle School.

Do your part - we have weekly free bike valet parkingat the Tuesday Farmer’s Market at Cold Spring Park.Ride your bike and park it at the front entrance whileit’s watched over by Lois Levin, Newton’s BicycleCoordinator/Green Decade Board member and us!

Comments? Questions? contact [email protected]



NEWSLETTER OF THE GREEN DECADE / NEWTON PAGE 5

Our mission is to create an environment in better

balance with the natural world by making signicant, measurableimprovements in the way we use resources.

Goals include helping households, businesses and institutions to:

• Increase energy efciency & seek alternatives to fossil/nuclear

fuels; • Use IPM and organic alternatives to pesticides;

• Promote high performance (green) building measures;

• Prevent pollution through source reduction and reduced

consumption; • Promote reuse and recycling practices;

• Improve waste disposal practices;

• Conserve water and other resources.

Our programs are designed to build awarness, promote

opportunities for public dialogue and educate and empower

citizens to take personal and civic action.

Barbara & Brooke Celebration

It was a wonderful evening on May 31, and a good time washad by everyone attending Green Decade’s Celebration,honoring Barbara Herson and Brooke Lipsitt. Presentationsto Barbara and Brooke, who recently retired from theirGreen Decade Board of Directors and Committee positionsincluded citations for their outstanding community servicefrom Mayor Setti Warren and State Senator Cynthia Creem.

Mayor’s prayer breakfast

The Newton Lower Falls pedestrian and bicycle bridge connect-ing Newton and Wellesley was ofcially opened for business onMay 8, 2012, nearly a decade after Rep. Kay Kahn initiated effortsto restore the dangerous bridge. On hand for the ribbon cuttingceremony/celebration were Lt. Governor Tim Murray, MayorSetti Warren, Senator Cindy Creem, Representative Kay Khan,along with other community leaders and citizens. The bridge isadjacent to the new senior housing community, Waterstone atWellesley and behind the CVS store on Washington Street.

Green Decade board members gather at the Newton Mayor’s prayer breakfast in May P h o t o g r a p h e r M a r g a r e t F o r d

Pedestrian bicycle bridge opens

Public ofcials cut the ribbons on the new Lower Falls bike/pedestrian bridge P h o t o g r a p h e r K a t e

F l o c k

Thanks ! and next newsletter deadlineFor the next newsletter, please send submissions by e-mail to

Ira Krepchin, [email protected], by Mon, July 23, 2012.Thanks for making this newsletter possible to Managing Editor

Ira Krepchin, Editor Peter Smith, Copy Editor Susan Tornheimand article authors. Many thanks to our newsletter mailingchairs Marcia Cooper and Frank Propp, and their team for thelast issue: Edie & Frank Propp, Fran Seasholes and Lisa Wilson.

Energy efciency will savemoney for Newton

At GDN’s Greening Our Community Series on June 19th, Mayor Setti Warren spoke about the

progress the City has made on its commitmentto continue to reduce its energy consumption.

Energy Commission Chair,Eric Olson and LibraryDirector of Programs, Ellen

Meyers prepared energy useinformation handouts forattendees at the program.

Maciej Konieczny(left), Newton’sSustainabilityProject Manager and

Josh Morse, Directorof Operations forthe Public BuildingsDept. presentedinformation on the

progress to date and proposals for going forward.



JULY/AUG 2012PAGE 6

617 965-1995 e-mail: [email protected] www.greendecade.org

Printed with soy-based ink on 100% post-consumer waste unbleached

recycled paper that is made without a chemical separation process.

Board of Directors Advisory BoardAnn Berwick, at largeEric Bobby, at largeAl Calderone, at largeMarcia Cooper, PresidentSharon Cushing, TreasurerEd Cunningham, at largeMichele Davis, Energy Lucia Dolan, Clerk , TransportationPaul Eldrenkamp, at largeIra Krepchin, Newsletter

Lois Levin, Transp; EnvEditorTAB Jean MacRae, at largeKen Mallory, at largeEric Olson, at large

Jim Purdy, Vice Pres , EnergyMyron Rosenberg, DevelopmentDan Ruben, ChairpersonMindy Sieber, at large Peter Smith, Newsletter; ChamberElaine Vildzius, at large

Karen AlbertAna Zarina Asuaje Solon,Louise Bruyn, Past Pres.Sheila ClawsonDavid & Elva Del PortoBev Droz, Past PresidentDianne DumanoskiKevin Dutt, Public Affairs Katherine GekasBonnie Glickman,EcoTeams

Ellie GoldbergFred Gordon, MCAN Bd.Barbara Herson, Past Pres.Sunwoo KahngFrancoise LaMonica,NewTV Brooke LipsittMatt PawaFran SeasholesAnnabelle ShipRohna Shoul Heather TausigMaeve Ward

Please join orrenew for 2012!

online @: www.greendecade.org

Green Decade is proud of its 21 year history and ourorganization’s efforts to help residences, businesses and

public facilities become more sustainable. You may alsosend a $25 payment for a basic membership to Green Decade/Newton, P.O. Box 590242, Newton, MA 02459

Summer internships & othervolunteer opportunities!

Green Decade welcomes your volunteer participation,whether you have just little time to spare or want to becomeinvolved on a more regular basis. Volunteers are especiallyneeded to help staff our booth at Newton’s Farmer’s Marketwhere we distribute environmental literature and feature our

Magic Energy Bike , as well as other fun activities.Farmers Markets are on Tuesdays, 1:30-6 pm in Cold

Spring Park on Beacon St. and on Fridays from 12noon-5pmat Post 440 California St. in Nonantum. To volunteer, pleasecontact [email protected] or call 617-964-8567.

Boiler rebates up to $4,000Is your boiler at least 30 years old? National Grid andNSTAR are offering qualifying customers a limited-timerebate of $1,750 - $4,000 to replace their boiler. Take the rststep toward your rebate by http://nextsteplivinginc.com/gdn/

Your new boiler must be installed by July 31, 2012 to takeadvantage of the rebate. In addition, your old boiler must be:• 30 years old, or older • currently functioning • fueled by natural gas, propane, or oil

The rebate is NOT for:• replacing furnaces • converting to another fuel • xingor replacing broken boilersThere are steps you must complete to qualify, but your rststep is to sign up for a no-cost energy assessment. Youschedule your assessment quickly through our partners atNext Step Living (Mass Save qualied vendors).A new boiler could save you hundreds of dollars in heatingcosts each year, as well as prevent hundreds of poundsof carbon and noxious pollutant emissions. If you havequestions, contact the rebate’s general hotline at 800-480-7472,and ask about the “Early Boiler Replacement Rebates.” Or:http://nextsteplivinginc.com/boiler/?Referrer=001C0000010ByhR

Sign up and receive a no-cost home energy assessment andyou may qualify for 75%- up to $2000 off – insulation and airsealing for your home. In addition, our local partner, Next StepLiving, will make a $10 donation to support our work afteryou complete the assessment. Visit: http://nextsteplivinginc.com/gdn/ or call 866-867-8729. Please mention GreenDecade! Massachusetts renters, homeowners and landlordsliving in 1-4 unit buildings with NSTAR and/or NationalGrid accounts are also eligible.

Green Decade at the 350.org global Connect the Dots Day on May 5 at the library P h o t o g r a p h e r J i m P u r d y

Newton Green Streets InitiativeWalking or riding to work and school just got more

rewarding. Working with the Newton TransportationAdvisory Group (TAG), Mayor Setti Warren signed Newtonup for the Green Streets Initiative to enhance and encourageactive transportation in Newton. This program challengesevery resident in and commuter to Newton to walk or ride

to work or school on the last Friday of each month. Thatincludes taking a bus or train, carpooling, bicycling, or evenparking further from the ofce. Those who do so can thenget rewarded from the Initiative’s retail partners.

Already, Initiative participants can get free yoga classes,cupcakes and other promotions around the metro area.Folklorica in Newton Centre has already taken the plunge,offering 10% off all merchandise to walk/riders. Participantsprove that they reduced their transportation-basedcarbon emissions by logging on to the Initiative’s website:gogreenstreets.org.

Businesses in Newton can join the Corporate Challenge,which compares participation rates against City employees’.

Those with high rates get entered into a lottery for prizes.“This gives everyone an excuse to try a more environment

ally-friendly commute,” Downs said. “We hope to make that asafer and more pleasant commute also.” by Andreae Downs,

Chair, Newton Transportation Advisory Group (TAG)

greennews 7-8-12 red

Documents