The Green Team has specific people working on specific areas. To get involved, contact the individual noted below:

Building Construction Projects
See the About Green Team page for information on Green Team recommendations for construction of new Town buildings and major renovations and additions to existing Town buildings.

Greening Concord's Schools
Review of the work of the school building committee began some time ago and has already influenced the school rebuilding plans. Current activity on promoting sustainable schools includes working with the Willard School Building Committee to apply green design strategies for the new construction portions of the plan, in addition to integrating into the design process the proposed regulations by the Massachusetts School Building Authority that sets new criteria for designing and constructing high performance schools in the Commonwealth. Intentions are to connect this effort with the work of the Concord Sustainable Energy Plan Committee.

The Design Process for our Schools and Other Projects

• Letter to the editor, Concord Journal, January 16, 2002
• Letter to the editor, Concord Journal, February 3, 2002

Harvey Wheeler Community Center
The Building Committee met all through the winter and spring to prepare the project for bidding. The project was reviewed against the LEED system (see Evaluation Matrix below) for actions that might be taken. Although the building did fairly well in this analysis, considering our late involvement, the architect was unprepared to do the analysis necessary to determine if LEED certification was possible. Some changes were incorporated to improve the design, most notably the deletion of the insulation on the exterior walls. Call or e-mail R. Keleher (see below) if you would like an explanation. Also, window details that created better air seals were added and energy efficient lighting was encouraged. The project has been bid, within budget, and it is now under construction.

Contact: Richard Keleher, 978-369-4550, kel@rkeleher.com
LEED Evaluation Matrix

Transportation
The Team has begun an assessment of the Town's public transportation policy, including an evaluation of the types of public vehicles (i.e. DPW, Police, Fire, etc.) for possible alternative fuel use in future vehicle procurement. Transportation upstream and downstream effects being studied include runoff from roads and parking; traffic patterns; and overall town CO₂ emissions based on vehicle type. The Team also hopes to address the household transportation issues (SUV's, etc.) and other transportation issues.

Contact: Peter R. Nobile, 978-369-5857, pnobile@sbra.com

Lifestyles/REUSIT
The Team is working with REUSIT (Rescue the Environment and Us from being Smothered In Trash) to move toward more sustainable lifestyles, to reduce energy and fresh water consumption, reduce solid waste production, etc. We have run "sustainable lifestyles" discussion groups (Voluntary Simplicity and Exploring Deep Ecology) for 1-1/2 years with growing interest! The Green Team is developing green resources for Town businesses and homeowners. Through the venues of public forums, home tours, public postings and mailings, the Team hopes to make available substantive and relevant resources to assist residents in becoming more sustainable.

Resources include lists of organic or IPM lawn care services; suppliers of high recycled content papers and other materials; and a "who-to-call" list on a variety of green resource issues.

Contacts: Peter R. Nobile, 978-369-5857, pnobile@sbra.com 

Green Power
The Team plans to work with the Concord Municipal Light Plant as well as independently to lower electrical energy use and to promote the purchase energy from power sources that are sustainable.

Contact: Lawrence Masland, 978-369-4578, loamy_2001@yahoo.com
Robert Harper, 978-369-5162, DRobertHarper@aol.com
MaxLite MiniBulb efficient light bulbs

Cleaning Up Nuclear Waste Citizens Research and Environmental Watch (CREW):
CREW is working for a cleanup of the toxic and radioactively contaminated site at Starmet (formerly Nuclear Metals Inc.) in West Concord. The soil and groundwater at Starmet are contaminated with high levels of toxic chemicals and metals including beryllium and depleted uranium. In 2001 Starmet was declared a Superfund Site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). CREW is working closely with the EPA, the DEP, Town Boards and the citizens of Concord for a complete cleanup at Starmet.

Contact: Stephanie Roeder, 978 369-0296, crew@crewconcord.org

Outreach
The Team plans to provide additional articles to the Journal and to appear at other venues (churches, community organizations, business organizations, the schools, etc.)

Contacts: Richard Keleher, 978-369-4550, kel@rkeleher.com,
Peter R. Nobile, 978-369-5857, pnobile@sbra.com

Sustainable Farming
Gaining Ground provides fresh, organic produce to area soup kitchens, and hands-on learning about gardening and environmental issues.

Sustainable Farming to: Contact: Julie MacLean, 978-369-7281, gainingg@shore.net

Outdoor Lighting
The Town of Concord's Outdoor Lighting Committee considered lighting issues in some detail for two years, and has now been disbanded. It proposed amendments to Site Plan Review requirements for commercial lighting and a Municipal Outdoor Lighting Policy, both of which were adopted by the Town. The Policy calls for an upgrade over time, and provides target goals and guidance for all Municipal Departments where none currently exist. It calls for less brightness, white lamps, and shielded fixtures to reduce glare and light trespass. The Team's role includes monitoring and aiding in the implementation of the Town's Outdoor Lighting Policy, helping the Town keep abreast of technological improvements, and further consideration of outdoor lighting issues not fully explored by the Outdoor Lighting Committee.

Outdoor Lighting Committee Report, December 2001: Cover, Report

Contact: James Catterton, 978-771-7077, jcat@shore.net.

Beyond Town
The Team is trying to convince the Town's government to join ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection (CCP), and to sponsor an intern to conduct an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions within the town.

• ICLEI one page
• ICLEI Frequently Asked Questions
• ICLEI Sample Resolution

Contacts: John Bolduc, 978-369-4673, johnrbolduc@hotmail.com
Melissa Hoffer, melhoffer@erols.com

The Team hopes to participate in dialogs with other cities and towns through MCAN. It is also looking for opportunities to support sustainability enhancing actions at the town, state, and national levels.