Public Records of the Atkinson Energy Efficiency Committee

In keeping with the spirit and intent of New Hampshire's Right-to-Know Law RSA 91-A, this blog is simply a repository of communications related to the Atkinson Energy Efficiency Committee. It will include copies of emails between members, meeting minutes of public meetings, and other documents which the Committee feels should be available to the public.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

RE: Coverts Update - Sept. 24, 2008

I updated the website with the information. I’m away until Tuesday, but will update the web site to remove the expired links when I get back.

 

From: Michelle Veasey [mailto:mveasey@msn.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 1:17 PM
To: timd@winsurfer.net; denise_legault@uml.edu; scott@kukshtel.com; paul@wainwright.mv.com; wilvalent@yahoo.com; p.mcvay@comcast.net; jim.garrity.atkinsonsunshine@blogger.com; jim.garrity@leg.state.nh.us; maj2002@comcast.net; mveasey@msn.com; hike4000@comcast.net; mascola1@verizon.net
Subject: FW: Coverts Update - Sept. 24, 2008

 

Hi All,
 
Thought the following workshops might be of interest to some of you.  Also might be good to post appropriate link(s) on the Conservation website and/or the Energy Efficiency blog site.
 
Michelle



Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:35:39 -0400
To:
From: malin.clyde@unh.edu
Subject: Coverts Update - Sept. 24, 2008

Dear Coverts Cooperators & Friends,

Several workshops and walks happening in the next few days and weeks...see below for details.  As always, this and previous Coverts updates are available anytime online on the Coverts Website blog, Volunteers Working for Wildlife (gor those receiving this as part of a listserve, the formatting may be easier to read on the blog).  Cheers!

Malin
 
Upcoming Workshops & Events
 
**THIS WEEKEND!**
Tree Farm Field Day:  Andorra Forest, Stoddard - Sept. 27, 8 am – 3 pm
Always great field day, hosted by the winners of the annual NH Tree Farm of the Year award.  Presentations and tours will take place on wildlife habitat, cattle farm, Marlow fire history, Pitcher Mt. fire tower, a GPS scavenger hunt, a talk by Bear expert Ben Kilham (CC98), Audubon's forest bird initiative, and others.  Registration and additional information available in the brochure (click here)
 
Caring For Your Forest Workshops
These workshops will be offered in two locations – Bethlehem & Alton - at the same time.  Choose the one nearest you!  Bring a friend.  All workshops run from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.  Click here for brochure and registration information. 
            Sept. 26     Chainsaw Safety for Weekend Woodcutters
            Oct. 3        Firewood from your Woodlot
            Oct. 10      Tree and Shrub ID
            Oct. 17      Selling Timber? Do it right!
 
***SIGN UP NOW!*** 
Coverts Alumni Gathering - Saturday, October 4, 9:30 - 3:00, Sandwich
After the fun we had at the June gathering at the Mitchell's Tree Farm in Gilmanton, we have another fun day planned at the property of Coverts Cooperator David (CC04) and C.C. White.  We'll have hikes, a picnic lunch, and a chance to tour the property of fellow Coverts volunteers.  There will be lots to see!  The Whites are in the middle of conducting of a wide variety of stewardship projects on their 118-acre property in the Atwood Brook watershed.  They are also homesteaders, featured in the Spring 2007 edition of Northern Woodlands Magazine, and in the April 2005 issue of our Making Tracks newsletter.  Registration information is available online at:  http://extension.unh.edu/forestry/Docs/WhitesTour.htm or call Debbie Anderson at 862-1028 to add your name to the list (cost is free). 
                                                        
Floodplain Forests:  Their Ecology & Conservation, Oct. 8, Concord (8 a.m. 4 p.m.)
This indoor and outdoor workshop, expanding on the concepts from the recent Floodplain Forests Habitat Stewardship Brochure, will include an optional afternoon canoe trip (bring your own) to visit several floodplain forest communities along the Merrimack River in Concord.  Registration information is available online at: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Docs/Fldpln_Frsts.pdf 
 
Backyard Woods Workshop - Oct. 11, 9:30 a.m. - noon;  Northwood, NH
Many property owners in New Hampshire own 1 to 9 acres of woodland associated with their homes. While these lots may be too small to manage as commercial forestland, they still provide many amenities and benefits to the homeowner, their neighbors and wildlife. Fred Borman, Extension Educator, Forest Resources for Rockingham County, will be conducting this workshop for the owners of small woodlots at Northwood Meadows State Park on Saturday, October 11, 2008 from 9:30 AM to Noon. The cost of the workshop is $10 per family to cover the expense of a tree ID booklet and a Backyard Woods Guide.  For registration information, click for online brochure.  Topics to be covered include:
-        Managment Planning
-        Tree identification
-        Identification and control of invasive plant species
-        Risk tree management
-        Backyard wildlife habitat
-        Cutting your own firewood
-        Recreational opportunities on your own property
-        Boundary line identification and marking
 

Other Resources & News
 
Heating With Wood
UNH Cooperative Extension has added a new section to our website called “Heating with Wood.” These webpages have collected information on a range of topics that are pertinent to this important energy issue that is on many people’s minds these days. Things covered on these webpages include:
-        Assessing your home for wood heat
-        Your wood supply
-        Buying, installing and maintaining a woodstove
-        Outdoor wood boilers
-        Safe, efficient wood-burning
-        Ash management
To visit the pages, go to: http://extension.unh.edu/Energy/WoodHeat.html
Hope you find this information useful! 
 
New Publication:  “The Importance of Hydroperiod in Wetland Assessment: a guide for community officials, planners, and natural resource professionals”
New Hampshire has many different types of wetlands that serve important functions in our landscapes, including flood control, groundwater protection, and sediment trapping. Their role in providing habitat for amphibians, however, is often a main reason natural resource professionals and communities are interested in protecting them.  This new publication describes a biologically-based method for determining what species of amphibians will use any given wetland by assessing wetlands based on their hydroperiod, the length of time and portion of the year that a wetland holds water. Understanding hydroperiod is an important initial step in guiding management decisions aimed at minimizing or avoiding loss or degradation of wetlands that provide significant amphibian breeding habitat within an area. The publication is aimed at community officials, planners, and natural resource professionals interested in protecting and conserving amphibians and making better management decisions. Click here to download a PDF version of the publication.  High resolution CDs of the publication are available for $10. Download the order form.
Contact Matt Tarr for more information: (603) 862-3594 or mtarr@ceunh.unh.edu
 


--
Malin Ely Clyde
UNH Cooperative Extension
NH Coverts Project Coordinator
214 Nesmith Hall, 131 Main Street
Durham, NH  03824-3597
malin.clyde@unh.edu
(603) 862-2166, fax (603) 862-0107
www.nhcoverts.org

Selectmen's Meeting

Hi All,
 
I presented a high level building benchmark to the selectmen on Monday night (missed you Michael M.).  Also shared info on the Carbon Challenge presentation and mentioned that we would like to have the selectmen there.  (Also made mention of challenging Hampstead selectmen, since their library will be participating in implementing the challenge).
 
They are very concerned about energy costs, obviously.  They would like to hold a workshop in the next couple of weeks to talk about ways to reduce energy use. 
 
I contacted a friend at SDES (Sustainable Development and Energy Systems) Group and he suggested that for the near term, beyond the basics in tightening the shell, that we could look at retrofitting outside temperature regulators to boilers to regulate the temperature the water is heated to based on outdoor temperatures.  Manufacturers claim installations can see up to a 14% energy use savings.
 
Regarding the presentation on October 8th (7:30 at the Community Center) - please remember to talk the carbon challenge/energy efficiency presentation up with friends and colleagues.  Also, send me your challenge results (what have you done and what are you planning on doing with carbon reductions in lbs noted) and a picture of what drives you to make changes (picture of your children, etc.).
If you like, we can have a practice session a day or two before or you can wing it when it comes to your slide of results.
 
Michelle
 
P.S.  I asked Selectmen about the RPC grant and they were interested in checking into it.  Steven Angelo (our new administrator) contacted RPC and they were open to our request since only three communities submitted.  Steven asked for a recommendation and I suggested that we would be interested in them crafting a section for the Master Plan encouraging sustainable development and encouraging the implementation of alternative energy systems, as well as asking that town officials place energy efficiency consideration as a top priority in evaluating expenditures for new construction and maintenance of town buildings.

FW: Coverts Update - Sept. 24, 2008

Hi All,
 
Thought the following workshops might be of interest to some of you.  Also might be good to post appropriate link(s) on the Conservation website and/or the Energy Efficiency blog site.
 
Michelle




Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:35:39 -0400
To:
From: malin.clyde@unh.edu
Subject: Coverts Update - Sept. 24, 2008

Dear Coverts Cooperators & Friends,

Several workshops and walks happening in the next few days and weeks...see below for details.  As always, this and previous Coverts updates are available anytime online on the Coverts Website blog, Volunteers Working for Wildlife (gor those receiving this as part of a listserve, the formatting may be easier to read on the blog).  Cheers!

Malin
 
Upcoming Workshops & Events
 
**THIS WEEKEND!**
Tree Farm Field Day:  Andorra Forest, Stoddard - Sept. 27, 8 am – 3 pm
Always great field day, hosted by the winners of the annual NH Tree Farm of the Year award.  Presentations and tours will take place on wildlife habitat, cattle farm, Marlow fire history, Pitcher Mt. fire tower, a GPS scavenger hunt, a talk by Bear expert Ben Kilham (CC98), Audubon's forest bird initiative, and others.  Registration and additional information available in the brochure (click here)
 
Caring For Your Forest Workshops
These workshops will be offered in two locations – Bethlehem & Alton - at the same time.  Choose the one nearest you!  Bring a friend.  All workshops run from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.  Click here for brochure and registration information. 
            Sept. 26     Chainsaw Safety for Weekend Woodcutters
            Oct. 3        Firewood from your Woodlot
            Oct. 10      Tree and Shrub ID
            Oct. 17      Selling Timber? Do it right!
 
***SIGN UP NOW!*** 
Coverts Alumni Gathering - Saturday, October 4, 9:30 - 3:00, Sandwich
After the fun we had at the June gathering at the Mitchell's Tree Farm in Gilmanton, we have another fun day planned at the property of Coverts Cooperator David (CC04) and C.C. White.  We'll have hikes, a picnic lunch, and a chance to tour the property of fellow Coverts volunteers.  There will be lots to see!  The Whites are in the middle of conducting of a wide variety of stewardship projects on their 118-acre property in the Atwood Brook watershed.  They are also homesteaders, featured in the Spring 2007 edition of Northern Woodlands Magazine, and in the April 2005 issue of our Making Tracks newsletter.  Registration information is available online at:  http://extension.unh.edu/forestry/Docs/WhitesTour.htm or call Debbie Anderson at 862-1028 to add your name to the list (cost is free). 
                                                        
Floodplain Forests:  Their Ecology & Conservation, Oct. 8, Concord (8 a.m. 4 p.m.)
This indoor and outdoor workshop, expanding on the concepts from the recent Floodplain Forests Habitat Stewardship Brochure, will include an optional afternoon canoe trip (bring your own) to visit several floodplain forest communities along the Merrimack River in Concord.  Registration information is available online at: http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/Docs/Fldpln_Frsts.pdf 
 
Backyard Woods Workshop - Oct. 11, 9:30 a.m. - noon;  Northwood, NH
Many property owners in New Hampshire own 1 to 9 acres of woodland associated with their homes. While these lots may be too small to manage as commercial forestland, they still provide many amenities and benefits to the homeowner, their neighbors and wildlife. Fred Borman, Extension Educator, Forest Resources for Rockingham County, will be conducting this workshop for the owners of small woodlots at Northwood Meadows State Park on Saturday, October 11, 2008 from 9:30 AM to Noon. The cost of the workshop is $10 per family to cover the expense of a tree ID booklet and a Backyard Woods Guide.  For registration information, click for online brochure.  Topics to be covered include:
-        Managment Planning
-        Tree identification
-        Identification and control of invasive plant species
-        Risk tree management
-        Backyard wildlife habitat
-        Cutting your own firewood
-        Recreational opportunities on your own property
-        Boundary line identification and marking
 

Other Resources & News
 
Heating With Wood
UNH Cooperative Extension has added a new section to our website called "Heating with Wood." These webpages have collected information on a range of topics that are pertinent to this important energy issue that is on many people's minds these days. Things covered on these webpages include:
-        Assessing your home for wood heat
-        Your wood supply
-        Buying, installing and maintaining a woodstove
-        Outdoor wood boilers
-        Safe, efficient wood-burning
-        Ash management
To visit the pages, go to: http://extension.unh.edu/Energy/WoodHeat.html
Hope you find this information useful! 
 
New Publication:  "The Importance of Hydroperiod in Wetland Assessment: a guide for community officials, planners, and natural resource professionals"
New Hampshire has many different types of wetlands that serve important functions in our landscapes, including flood control, groundwater protection, and sediment trapping. Their role in providing habitat for amphibians, however, is often a main reason natural resource professionals and communities are interested in protecting them.  This new publication describes a biologically-based method for determining what species of amphibians will use any given wetland by assessing wetlands based on their hydroperiod, the length of time and portion of the year that a wetland holds water. Understanding hydroperiod is an important initial step in guiding management decisions aimed at minimizing or avoiding loss or degradation of wetlands that provide significant amphibian breeding habitat within an area. The publication is aimed at community officials, planners, and natural resource professionals interested in protecting and conserving amphibians and making better management decisions. Click here to download a PDF version of the publication.  High resolution CDs of the publication are available for $10. Download the order form.
Contact Matt Tarr for more information: (603) 862-3594 or mtarr@ceunh.unh.edu
 


--
Malin Ely Clyde
UNH Cooperative Extension
NH Coverts Project Coordinator
214 Nesmith Hall, 131 Main Street
Durham, NH  03824-3597
malin.clyde@unh.edu
(603) 862-2166, fax (603) 862-0107
www.nhcoverts.org

Thursday, September 18, 2008

RE: using Timberlane email

I agree totally - open to suggestions (half is an improvement, but still not great). 
 
Just to catch you up Mike, we were talking about ways to promote the NH Carbon Challenge talk on Wed, Oct. 8th.  I have put up posters at the Town Hall, Village Store, Post Office and Community Center about the talk.  (Library also suggested last night.)  I have asked that it be put on cable.  We are announcing it at the Selectmen's meeting.  Jim sent info to Megan Carey at the Eagle Tribune.  I thought an inclusion in the Academy electronic newsletter would also be a good way to spread the word - that's where Michael's email comes in.  If everyone feels the other communication channels are sufficient, we can go with that.
 
Michelle




Subject: RE: using Timberlane email
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:09:05 -0400
From: michaeljackson@motorola.com
To: mveasey@msn.com; mascola1@verizon.net; jim.garrity.atkinsonsunshine@blogger.com; jim.garrity@leg.state.nh.us; maj2002@comcast.net


Ouch - talk about the most non-green way.
 
If the Selectmen do allow these copies to be made at Town Hall can we put the information on half of the paper - i.e. two per page then cut them.  The two per page is more physical work but less paper.
 
Mike


From: Michelle Veasey [mailto:mveasey@msn.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:43 AM
To: Michael Mascola; Jackson Michael-MGI2585; jim.garrity.atkinsonsunshine@blogger.com; jim.garrity@leg.state.nh.us; maj2002@comcast.net
Subject: RE: using Timberlane email

Hi All,
 
Since we have no budget, making copies for the shuttle is problematic.  Perhaps we should ask the Selectmen if we could make them at Town Hall.
 
Michelle




Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:50:53 -0400
From: mascola1@verizon.net
Subject: using Timberlane email
To: michaeljackson@motorola.com; mveasey@msn.com; jim.garrity.atkinsonsunshine@blogger.com; jim.garrity@leg.state.nh.us; maj2002@comcast.net
CC: mascola1@verizon.net


Committee members,

 Last night we talked about using the Atkinson Academy email as a tool to advertise the October 8th meeting. I checked with our Superintendent about using the school districts email account. He is not comfortable with that idea and went so far as to point out two school policies that speak out against that action. I have attached the two policies for your reading pleasure.

  He is OK using the school shuttle for non-controversial student relevant info and public notices.

 

Hope this helps,

Michael

 

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1672 - Release Date: 9/16/2008 8:15 AM

RE: using Timberlane email

Ouch - talk about the most non-green way.
 
If the Selectmen do allow these copies to be made at Town Hall can we put the information on half of the paper - i.e. two per page then cut them.  The two per page is more physical work but less paper.
 
Mike


From: Michelle Veasey [mailto:mveasey@msn.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 11:43 AM
To: Michael Mascola; Jackson Michael-MGI2585; jim.garrity.atkinsonsunshine@blogger.com; jim.garrity@leg.state.nh.us; maj2002@comcast.net
Subject: RE: using Timberlane email

Hi All,
 
Since we have no budget, making copies for the shuttle is problematic.  Perhaps we should ask the Selectmen if we could make them at Town Hall.
 
Michelle




Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:50:53 -0400
From: mascola1@verizon.net
Subject: using Timberlane email
To: michaeljackson@motorola.com; mveasey@msn.com; jim.garrity.atkinsonsunshine@blogger.com; jim.garrity@leg.state.nh.us; maj2002@comcast.net
CC: mascola1@verizon.net


Committee members,

 Last night we talked about using the Atkinson Academy email as a tool to advertise the October 8th meeting. I checked with our Superintendent about using the school districts email account. He is not comfortable with that idea and went so far as to point out two school policies that speak out against that action. I have attached the two policies for your reading pleasure.

  He is OK using the school shuttle for non-controversial student relevant info and public notices.

 

Hope this helps,

Michael

 

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1672 - Release Date: 9/16/2008 8:15 AM

RE: using Timberlane email

Hi All,
 
Since we have no budget, making copies for the shuttle is problematic.  Perhaps we should ask the Selectmen if we could make them at Town Hall.
 
Michelle




Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:50:53 -0400
From: mascola1@verizon.net
Subject: using Timberlane email
To: michaeljackson@motorola.com; mveasey@msn.com; jim.garrity.atkinsonsunshine@blogger.com; jim.garrity@leg.state.nh.us; maj2002@comcast.net
CC: mascola1@verizon.net


Committee members,

 Last night we talked about using the Atkinson Academy email as a tool to advertise the October 8th meeting. I checked with our Superintendent about using the school districts email account. He is not comfortable with that idea and went so far as to point out two school policies that speak out against that action. I have attached the two policies for your reading pleasure.

  He is OK using the school shuttle for non-controversial student relevant info and public notices.

 

Hope this helps,

Michael

 

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1672 - Release Date: 9/16/2008 8:15 AM

using Timberlane email

Committee members,

 Last night we talked about using the Atkinson Academy email as a tool to advertise the October 8th meeting. I checked with our Superintendent about using the school districts email account. He is not comfortable with that idea and went so far as to point out two school policies that speak out against that action. I have attached the two policies for your reading pleasure.

  He is OK using the school shuttle for non-controversial student relevant info and public notices.

 

Hope this helps,

Michael