Green Medford

Apply for Youth Climate Action Mini-Grants by October 31st!

2011-10-17T10:52:00.006-04:00

This is a great opportunity for Medford youth!

Please forward to people you know in the Medford-based schools, religious congregations, community groups.

Green Medford has been awarded $750 from the Wolfe-Rita Climate Action Projects fund of the Massachusetts Climate Action Network. Green Medford will use this funding to award three $250 mini-grants to youth addressing climate change in Medford. The deadline for the application will be October 31. Grantees will be notified on December 1, and projects must be completed by April 30, 2012.

Click here to link to the application.

Specifically, funding will be available for projects that address grassroots climate action within Medford. Project priorities may include hosting educational and training conferences; successful climate protection or educational projects; journalism about climate activism; lectures; forums; prizes to recognize and promote climate activism; policy initiatives; or media and social media projects that engage other youth in climate activism. All projects must take place in Medford.
Teachers, churches, youth groups, older youth (ages 16 - 20), and child and youth-serving organizations are eligible to apply. Funding cannot be used to pay individuals, salaries or consultants’ fees.

We are also seeking members of the judging committee for the applications. We have three volunteers and would love to have two more, especially people who have a connection to Medford students. (Of course, you would have to recuse yourself if there is a direct connection/conflict of interest with any application.) Please let Christine or me know if you are interested. We estimate the total time as under 5 hours total, but that could go up a bit if there are lots of applicants. The committee can do all its work by conference call and email, to keep your hours low.

About Green Medford: We educate the Medford community to understand its environmental impact, and empower residents to make more sustainable energy choices related to homes and businesses, transportation, and food. Green Medford is a chapter of the Massachusetts Climate Action Network.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this grant or the application process!

Christine Ellersick (christinemaher[add 'at' sign here]gmail.com)
Susan Altman
website: GreenMedford.org
FB: Green Medford

2011-09-28T10:15:00.002-04:00

Request for Proposals, fall 2011

Tufts Community Research Center

The Tufts Community Research Center is a collaborative of Tufts researchers and Boston-area community representatives. This RFP solicits requests for funding of community-collaborative research projects.

Grant Specifications:

1) Amount available: One award of $6,500

2) Application is due at 5pm on November 4, 2011

3) Funding must be used between November 5, 2011 and June 30, 2012

4) A final report on the project must be submitted by July 31, 2012

Application Requirements:

1) The team that is applying must include at least one Tufts-based researcher and at least one community-based organization. You might want to consult: http://www.ccph.info/.

2) Proposals may be from any discipline.

3) The proposed research could be community-based participatory research, but could also involve other approaches to research collaboration.

4) Applicants must specify what kind of research will be conducted.

5) The community, and the ways that it is involved, must be clearly defined. We are particularly interested in proposals from Tufts host communities (Somerville, Boston Chinatown, Medford), but will consider proposals from other communities.

6) The proposal must be for a research project that is asking a question of interest to the community partner.

7) Funding is prioritized for start-up projects rather than as an add-on to existing research.

8) The applicant must clearly indicate how the TCRC funds will be used by providing a brief line item budget and justification (stipends, hiring a research assistant, etc.).

Submission process:

Applications should consist of no more than 3 pages (Times New Roman 12 point type, 1 inch margins) of narrative, plus the budget and justification. The structure of the narrative is at the discretion of the applicant.

Signed letters, on letterhead, from all partners indicating that they have agreed to participate in the proposal development must be included.

One-on-one meetings to discuss this RFP can be scheduled with the director of TCRC in advance of submission.

Final applications should be submitted as an email attachment (preferably in PDF format) to dbrugge@aol.com. For more information contact Doug Brugge, Director of TCRC, via email at dbrugge@aol.com or phone at (617) 636-0326.

NOTE: The funded application will be eligible for technical assistance from the director and steering committee of the Tufts Community Research Center during the implementation of the research.

Medford to Boston Contingent of Moving Planet New England

2011-09-20T12:28:00.011-04:00

Just four days to the Moving Planet Rally!

This Saturday, September 24th, hundreds of thousands of people across the globe will come together to move beyond fossil fuels and create a watershed moment in planetary history.

Together, we will send a loud, clear and inspiring message: we are creating a healthy, just, and sustainable world for all, and expect our elected officials and corporate executives to do the same. Let's keep them accountable for moving us beyond fossil fuels!

Planet Movers will fill roads, trains, and waterways by foot, bike, canoe, kayak, and ferry, T and commuter rail on their way to the Moving Planet: New England Rally. See the scores of participating groups here.

Join Green Medford for this historic and world-changing event!

We will meet at the West Medford Commuter Rail station. We're gathering starting about 1:00 pm (with free donuts from the remarkable Donuts with a Difference in Medford Square), and we will depart about 1:30 pm.

We will be biking to Union Square to meet up with the group from Somerville Climate Action, so we can ride in to Boston together in one really big contingent!

Please RSVP to Bruce Kulik if you want to join us for the ride or take the Commuter Rail (1:32 pm departure for North Station) and meet back up at North Station.

Here's our route to Union Square:

West Medford Station
Cross High Street to Harvard Avenue
Left on Boston Avenue
Cross Mystic Valley Parkway
Right on North Street
Cross Powderhouse Boulevard
Left on Broadway
Bear Right onto Holland St at Teele Square
Through Davis Square road name becomes Elm Street
Left onto Somerville Avenue, into Union Square

We will meet the Somerville group at the triangle behind the fire station. From there they have a route through Sullivan Square, Charlestown, through the Navy Yard, across the locks, and through the North End to Columbus Park. You can see that here.

Groups of 15-25 will parade from North Station to Christopher Columbus Park every few minutes.

The Boston Rally

When: 3:50 pm (to mark the max safe limit of 350 parts per million of carbon in our atmosphere)

Where: Christopher Columbus Park (Aquarium T stop)

The rally will feature Sustainable Hip Hop artist Tem Blessed, Pedal-Powered Soul and Roll band Melodeego, Living on Earth's Steve Curwood, inspiring students from Boston Latin School's Youth Climate Action Network, updates on national and local Tar Sands Actions, and opportunities to connect with others!

Upcoming Environment & Community Events

2011-09-15T22:54:00.002-04:00

Please take advantage of the short fall season to get to all of these, and tell others you know too.

Malden River Festival, Sat Sept 17, 10 am - 4 pm, River's Edge:

Moving Planet Ride to Boston and Rally for Climate Action: Sat, Sept 24, 1-5 pm, starting at the West Medford Commuter Rail Station, directly following the Great Women of Medford Bike Tour.

Harvest Your Energy Festival & First Patriots Revolutionary War Re-enactment, Sat October 1, 1-4 pm, behind the McGlynn Elementary & Middle School

Mystic River Celebration, October 22, 11-4 pm, Condon Shell Park. Part of the Medford on the Mystic Arts Festival.

Medford Farmers Market, every Thursday, 3-7 pm through mid-October, Whole Foods on Route 16.

A Great Day for Biking (Medford and Beyond)

2011-08-30T10:39:00.007-04:00

Join the Medford Historical Society and Green Medford for two great biking events on Saturday, September 24. Ride with us in the morning, the afternoon, or both!

We also need volunteers to help at the beginning of the ride to assist with organizing the forms that need to be signed, and to collect donations. And marshalls.....

Great Women of Medford Historic Bicycle Tour

10:00 am to 12:30 pm

Meet at Whole Foods, 2151 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford

Learn about Medford’s distinguished women from history and share an easy bike ride with old and new friends. Stops include information on Sarah Bradlee Fulton, Amelia Earhart, Fannie Merritt Farmer, Muriel (Earhart) Morrissey, Judge Shirley Jackson, Belinda Royall, and more.

Join us for snacks at Whole Foods at 10:00 am; tour begins at 10:30 am and will last about 2 hours. All cycling levels welcome. Donations to the Medford Historical Society are appreciated. To RVSP or for info, contact kynahamill@yahoo.com.

Rain Date: Sunday, September 25, same time, same place.

Moving Planet for Climate Action

1:00-5:00 pm

Meet at West Medford Commuter Rail Stop, 1:10 pm

Moving Planet is being called a day to remember—a worldwide day of action to get people moving beyond fossil fuels, for a better future for ourselves and our children. Groups from all over the Northeast will arrive in Boston using little or no fossil fuel—traveling by bike, public transit, or foot. Together we will stand with the earth, stand with other people around the world who are already feeling the effects of climate change, stand with our friends and neighbors and boldly be a witness for climate action. Be creative! Wear a costume, bring a banner, paint your face, beat a drum! Event happens no matter the weather.

To RVSP or for info, contact susan.altman@comcast.net

Schedule:

10:00 Meet at Whole Foods parking Lot

10:30 Bike Tour Begins

10:40: Stop at Royall House - Tom Lincoln on Belinda Royall

11:00 Stop at Swan Street - Dee Morris (?) to speak on Pauline Blackinton

11:15-11:20 stops at the Police Station and the Salem Street Burial Ground to talk about Sarah Bradlee Fulton (need speakers)

11:30-11:45 Fannie Farmer House marker at Salem and Paris Streets (need speaker)

11:50 Gillis Field - location of Amelia Earhart's flyover on July 10, 1928 (need speaker)

12:05 See Women's Society House on Governor's Avenue (Kyna)

12:15 Possible stop at the Oak Grove Cemetery - depending on time.

12:15: Brooks Street to see Amelia Earhart and Muriel Morrissey Houses (need speakers)

12:30-12:45 - Finish at West Medford Community Center. Members of the center will speak on Judge Shirley Jackson.

Light refreshments served there courtesy of Whole Foods.

1:10 - Option to continue on to Moving Planet bike event in Boston along with Green Medford (Susan Altman + Bruce Kulik) Meet at West Medford Commuter Rail Stop. We will leave for Boston at 1:30 sharp!

3:00 pm - Parade to Christopher Columbus Park, Boston.

3:50 pm - Rally to demand real solutions to the climate crisis and an end to fossil fuels.

Earth Day Events a great success

2011-05-03T12:41:00.006-04:00

The Earth Day events on April 30 were all a great success--almost 100 volunteers, five sites, more than 40 bags of trash, and 5 garden planters.

Fifty-four volunteers helped Friends of the Mystic River to clean up Riverbend Park, MacDonald Park, Condon Shell Park, and the river itself (two people in a boat). Altogether, the volunteers collected about 30 bags of trash and recyclables, plus 4 car tires, 3 car batteries, and 2 shopping carts! [and a partridge in a pear tree].

In Medford Square, 37 volunteers collected trash on Riverside Ave, including the brick plaza, on Clippership Ave and the new Clippership Park, as well as in the intersection at the center of the Square. They also cleaned up and planted several concrete planters with pansies, alyssum, and hostas.

And at the Brooks School, teams of students, teachers, and other volunteers collected used and broken appliances from almost 100 cars. The donations from the collection will go to the Brooks School PTO.

The Medford Square team would like to thank everyone who helped spruce up the area:

All the volunteers (including the utterly tireless Ken Kraus)
Organizer Anna Nguyen of Xtreme Ninja Martial Art
The City of Medford
GS Music for the great band
Medford Garden Club, Sharon Hepburn, Aggie Nobile, and others for the plantings and supplies
Mystic Coffee Roaster for the wonderful coffee (appreciated on a breezy day)
Papa Ginos for pizza
Susan Fairchild for going the extra mile (literally)
All the other supportive businesses in the Square
And anyone else we forgot to mention!

Thank you all for helping to improve Medford!

FIVE EARTH DAY EVENTS IN MEDFORD

2011-04-18T08:19:00.003-04:00

This is a first for Medford! We will have five events to celebrate Earth Day--one on Friday April 22, one on Friday April 29, and the rest on Saturday April 30. Please pick at least one and participate!

Tufts students are holding their Earth Day Festival on Friday, April 22 from 12-4 pm, on the Academic Quad. There will be music, food, recycled crafting, clothing and light bulb swap, bike-powered smoothies, and more. For more information or to participate, contact Signe Porteshawver at (563) 940-1047 or signeporteshawver@gmail.com.

City of Medford Arbor Day Event: Friday, April 29, consisting of vista pruning and the removal of invasive species along the Mystic River in Riverbend Park. Bill Bernardinelli of Lawns Plus, and Joe Turner of Turner Tree, will lead the project as part of the Massachusetts Arbor Day of Service. Volunteers are needed to assist on the ground. Contact: Carey Duques, Medford’s Environmental Agent, cduques@medford.org or 781-393-2137 or Aggie Tuden, Medford Tree Warden, atuden@medford.org, 781-395-8695.

Drop Off Event for Used/Broken Electronics and Appliances, April 30, 9 am to 1 pm, Brooks School parking lot. Items will be unloaded from vehicles and sent to a facility for proper recycling. Fees are tiny and per category: $5 for small electronics such as ipods and computer mice (any number); $10 for medium electronics (e.g., laptops, phones); $15 large electronics (e.g., microwaves, dishwashers); $20 All TVs. Contact Cathy Aliberti, cathyaliberti@yahoo.com.

Mystic River Cleanup: Friends of the Mystic River will hold its 16th annual Mystic River Spring Cleanup April 30 from 9:30 am to 2 pm in the vicinity of Mystic Riverbend Park, MacDonald Park, and Wellington Greenway in the Mystic River Reservation. Meet in the parking lot at Hormel Stadium to sign in and pick up bags, gloves, pokers and instructions. For more information, visit www.fomr.org, call 781-391-2604 or e-mail Mystic02155@hotmail.com.

Medford Square Cleanup: Medford Square Cleanup: Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts Center is partnering with Green Medford, Mystic Coffee Roaster, Papa Gino's Pizza, GS Music Center, the Medford Garden Club, and other organizations to clean up litter and plant flowers in Medford Square, on April 30 from 2:30 to 5 pm. There will be free food and coffee, as well as live music! Meet at the bus shelter on Riverside Avenue, next to the Salem Street Burial Ground. For more information, contact Anna Nguyen at Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts Center, 781.395.7131 or xtremeninja1@yahoo.com, or visit www.GreenMedford.org.

Single stream recycling is a huge success

2011-04-11T10:49:00.001-04:00

Mayor Michael J. McGlynn today announced results of the City’s new single-stream recycling program during the first five months of the program, November 1^st through March 31^st. The total diversion from the waste stream was 2,847 tons. The total saving is $248,494.

According to the Mayor, “Medford citizens are to be congratulated for their leadership with the single stream program. They have adapted extremely well despite the severe pressures put upon us from the 7^th most snow filled winter in recorded history! It was also one of our coldest winters, which prevented the snow from melting.”

March was Medford’s most successful month, with 823 tons of trash diverted from the waste stream and nearly tripling our division rate from last March. In 2010 it was 9%. This year it was 25%.

“Our projections are right in line with the result for a full year forecast of diverting 5500 tons from the waste stream and saving in the amount of $500 – $550,000…Go Green Medford!” said Mayor McGlynn.

Disturbed by Obama’s timidity on energy policy

2011-04-08T11:31:00.000-04:00

RE “IT’S still oil and nuclear power for Obama’’ by Derrick Z. Jackson (Op-ed, April 2): The timidity of the Obama administration when it comes to the transformation of America’s energy economy is profoundly disturbing. The facts of climate change are firmly established, with only a few contrarians on the fringes of a global scientific consensus. The economics of renewable energy look more attractive every day, as do the geopolitical ramifications of meeting more of our national energy requirements from within our own borders.

The long-term costs of fossil fuels are harder and harder to hide, as we confront the health effects and environmental impacts of our profligate burning of oil and coal. Why, then, is the president so leery of taking a strong stand? The pusillanimity of the present administration only makes sense when viewed diagnostically: The extent to which our politics is paralyzed on this issue is a measure of the disproportionate influence of big oil and big coal on our nation’s governance.

Warren Senders
Medford

Published in Boston Globe, April 8

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2011/04/08/disturbed_by_obamas_timidity_on_energy_policy/

Arborists Wanted for Medford Riverbend Park, April 29 and beyond

2011-04-04T11:13:00.003-04:00

Arbor Day is Friday, April 29th this year.

in 2010 the Massachusetts Arborists Association launched a new volunteer initiative called the Arbor Day of Service. This initiative was built on the success of the association’s traditional celebration, held for 30 years, by creating a statewide volunteer service day.

As part of the Arbor Day of Service this year, the City of Medford needs the assistance of qualified arborists to complete vista pruning and the removal of invasive species along the Mystic River in the City's Riverbend Park.

The park contains walkways used by the public for recreation, such as bicycling, walking, running, etc. Currently the area is extremely overgrown and the river is difficult to see from the walkways. The City would greatly benefit from 3-4 arborists working with the City's Tree Warden, Environmental Agent and local volunteers, such as Friends of the Mystic and Hormel/Mystic River Task Force, to identify and remove overgrown and invasive vegetation. The City could provide a chipper on site.

Anyone interested can contact Medford's Tree Warden, Aggie Tuden, at (781) 395-8695, or email her.

Or you can apply online to the Mass Arborists Association's Arbor Day of Service, at this website:

http://massarborday.com/component/option,com_rsform/Itemid,99999/formId,86/lang,en/

Medford and neighbors celebrate Mystic Community Earth Day, Sat April 30

2011-04-02T11:18:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nick Cohen

April 2, 2011 781-322-4125 x 237

ncohen@tri-cap.org

Local organizations team up for second annual Mystic Community Earth Day

April 1, 2011 – Several organizations are joining together for the second year in a row to coordinate several events for Earth Day in the Lower Mystic River Watershed in Medford, Somerville, Malden, and Everett. Comprising the “Mystic Community Earth Day,” the events will take place on Saturday, April 30^th in honor of Earth Day (April 22^nd) and will focus on improving areas along the river, while drawing attention to the needs of the watershed as a whole. All events are free and open to the public. Volunteers are needed to complete this important work.

The Mystic River Watershed is the most urbanized and densely populated watershed in Massachusetts, with over half a million people living in its 76 square miles. Due to its long industrial history and antiquated sewer systems, the water quality of the river is severely degraded and access to the riverfront is limited. Despite these challenges, residents, community groups, and organizations are working to improve the Mystic River, its tributaries, and surrounding communities.

This year marks the 41^stEarth Day, which was first held on April 22, 1970, and featured rallies, protests, and clean-ups across the country with a strong college student presence. That day is often considered the birth of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day 2011 will be observed nationwide on April 22 and will be marked by many of the same activities as the original event 41 years ago.

The Mystic Community Earth Day will include clean-ups, trail clearings, and plantings. For more information about any of the Mystic Community Earth Day events, please contact the respective coordinator from each organization (see below). Events will include the following:

Medford

Mystic River Cleanup: Friends of the Mystic River will hold its 16th annual Mystic River Spring Cleanup from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the vicinity of Mystic Riverbend Park, and MacDonald Park in the Mystic River Reservation. Meet in the parking lot at Hormel Stadium to sign in and pick up bags, gloves, pokers and instructions. For more information, visit www.fomr.org, call 781-391-2604 or e-mail Mystic02155@hotmail.com.

Medford Square Cleanup: Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts Center is partnering with Green Medford, Medford City Hall, and other community organizations to clean up litter and plant flowers in Medford Square from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Meet at the bus shelter on Riverside Avenue, next to the Salem Street Burial Ground. For more information, contact Anna Nguyen at Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts Center, 781.395.7131 or xtremeninja1@yahoo.com, or visit www.Green.Medford.org.

Somerville

Groundwork Somerville and the Mystic River Watershed Association are joining forces to clean the Mystic River in Somerville. Head to the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse, 32 Shore Drive, from 9:00am to 12:30pm to lend a hand. A limited number of canoes will be available for a river-based cleanup effort. Supplies will be provided, but additional tools and gloves are welcome. This co-sponsored cleanup is among several community events occurring at Blessing of the Bay Boathouse on April 30. For more information about these other events, please contact Groundwork Somerville. For more information, contact Brad Arndt, Groundwork Somerville Brad@GroundworkSomerville.org or Beth Meserve, Mystic River Watershed Association, Beth@MysticRiver.org, 781-316-3438.

The City of Somerville will also have a citywide clean-up from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, culminating with a community barbeque and band concert at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse from 12:00 – 2:00 PM.

Malden-Everett

Bike to the Sea is partnering with Groundwork Somerville, Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Tri-CAP), and Cambridge Health Alliance to organize a trail clearing and clean-up around the proposed Northern Strand Community Trail between Medford Street in Malden and Prescott Street in Everett, as well as Cambridge Health Alliance’s adjacent Malden River Walk from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Supplies will be provided, but additional tools and gloves are welcome. Refreshments will be available for volunteers at a riverfront picnic around 1:00 PM. For more information contact Nick Cohen at ncohen@tri-cap.org or (781) 322-4125 X237.

Event Schedule:

9:00 AM – 12:30 PM Mystic River Clean-Up (Somerville)

9:30 AM – 2:00 PM Mystic River Clean-Up (Medford)

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM City of Somerville Clean-Up (Somerville)

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Malden River Area Clean-Up (Malden/Everett)

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM City of Somerville Blessing of the Bay Boathouse Barbeque and Band Concert (Somerville)

2:30 PM – 5:00 PM Medford Square Clean-Up (Medford)

Medford City Council establishes tree committee, fund

2011-03-31T08:57:00.002-04:00

From Roberta Cameron, who has championed this for literally years!

The City Council *unanimously* passed a motion last night to
1) establish a revolving account for tree planting
2) establish a committee to oversee expenditures from this fund, and
3) reiterate a previous statement that the city should cease posting signs on trees and remove all currently posted signs.

Councilor Lungo-Koehn initiated the motion, including only the first provision, and Councilors Camuso (? - I couldn't see clearly) and Marks suggested the additional provisions.

The revolving fund will enable residents and businesses to contribute funds to the city for the express purpose of tree planting and maintenance. It would also enable the city to implement a cost-sharing program in the future - a public-private partnership that would stretch the city's dollar and enhance private awareness/commitment to caring for our public resources.

The committee, as defined in this motion, will serve the "narrow" purpose of overseeing expenditures from the fund. But this gets the foot in the door. Planning for tree planting and maintenance is an important function that is not currently carried out in the city - which may encompass maintaining an inventory, establishing planting and maintenance guidelines, and prioritizing work that needs to be done, and fundraising through grants and promoting partnership programs. Moreover, this committee's functions can be expanded to fulfill the broader vision of a Tree Committee as we have been discussing with the Mayor and the Tree Warden.

The statement regarding posting of signs - unfortunately uneffective when it was last brought up a few years ago (as some Councilors pointed out), is to bring the city in compliance with Chapter 87, as well as to convey the message that the city cares for its trees. Implementation of this measure would depend on the commitment of the Public Works department to revise its practices, as well as budget being allocated to provide sign posts where they are currently missing.

Councilor Marks mentioned concerns about the drastic pruning by utilities last year. I pointed out that this concern, as well as the sign posting, are indicative of the need for staff capacity in the city's tree department to better manage these issues. This being beyond the scope of the motion passed last night, the Council should nevertheless be aware of the need for additional resources.

Medford Square Earth Day Clean-up, Sat April 30, 2:30-5:00 pm

2011-03-30T14:22:00.003-04:00

Each spring, winter’s litter shows up as the snow melts, so…

on Saturday, April 30th, 2:30-5 pm

Join us for the Medford Square Earth Day Clean-up!

This Spring Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts Center is partnering with Green Medford and City Hall to clean up Medford Square. Please join us from 2:30pm to 5pm as we clean up litter and plant flowers. Kids can also participate in creating a recycled plastic bottle sculpture. (No sharp objects or cutting will be involved.)

Mystic Coffee Roasters will provide coffee and drinks
Greg Scapicchio from GS Music Center will provide live music.

Working together we will keep Medford clean, beautiful, and thriving!

Where to meet:

Medford Square Plaza (at the bus shelter on Riverside Ave)

Tired of Wasting Money on Home Energy Bills?

2011-02-21T18:51:00.003-05:00

Stop wasting energy and money.

Sign Up for Your Free Home Energy Check now.

If you’re looking to cut back on your energy use and cost, the best way to start is by getting a free Home Energy Check. This will help you figure out the best ways to save energy, what rebates or incentives are available to you, and what the next steps are.

Am I eligible for a free home energy check?

If you haven’t had an energy assessment from Mass Save* within the last year, you are probably eligible. Both renters and owners are eligible for an assessment, but renters need their landlord’s permission before any major work is done.

What happens in the energy assessment?

The Energy Assessment usually consists of two visits. The screening visit will be used to identify saving opportunities and produce a plan of action for your home. The assessor will check things like your electric appliances, your heating and cooling equipment, and your water heater to figure out where energy is being wasted. The assessor may give you some instant savings measures, such as compact fluorescent lights to save electricity and efficient showerheads to save energy and water. The diagnostic visit includes a blower door test, which helps to identify air leaks in your home, and an infrared camera analysis, which locates parts of your home that may need additional insulation. Usually this visit also includes some free, cost-effective air sealing to help reduce drafts and heating costs.

After these two visits, you will already be saving energy! More importantly, however, you will receive a detailed report showing work done during these visits and a list of recommended actions. This list might include things like installing additional insulation, replacing a refrigerator, or tuning up your heating system. The report will also help you find additional rebates and incentives to make the recommended work even more affordable. This includes an instant rebate of up to $2,000 for recommended insulation and weatherization work, a federal tax credit of up to $500, and possibly other special offers. Following up on the recommended measures will reduce your energy use, and you will not waste as much money on electricity and heat.

 How much can I save?

The short answer is, it depends. It depends on any steps you’ve already taken, and which of the recommended actions you undertake. At the end of the Energy Assessment, however, your report will include an estimate of how much energy and money each recommended measure might save you. Find out how much you might save signing up for the free energy assessment. The sooner you sign up, the sooner you can stop wasting energy and money.

What’s the hitch? Nothing’s free!

There is no hitch. Mass Save (http://www.masssave.com/residential/) is an initiative sponsored by the major gas and electric utility companies in Massachusetts to help you save energy. The Home Energy Assessment really is provided at no cost to you.

The Community Mobilization Campaign is a project of several community-based non-profit organizations in Massachusetts that are helping people to sign up for free energy assessments provided by Mass Save, and to take the recommended steps to waste less energy.

How do I sign up?

There are a few ways you can sign up for your free Home Energy Assessment:

You can sign up right now by filling out a quick form at this webpage: http://tinyurl.com/MCAN-HomeEnergyCheckSignup. Someone will get back to you within a week or so to schedule a home visit.

If you have questions, you can contact Green Medford at the contact information below. We are your neighbors, and we are hard at work helping our community to stop wasting energy and money. We are working on the Community Mobilization program, and we can help you sign up, or talk about questions you may have.

Contact Info for Green Medford:
Susan Altman
781-395-4664
781-526-4714 (cell)
susan.altman[at]comcast.net

Reverse Trick or Treat Bewitches Columbus School Neighborhood

2010-11-01T13:29:00.009-04:00

A group of us from Green Medford and Fletcher Green (a Tufts graduate student group) trolled the streets around the Columbus School last night--Halloween evening--handing out bags of treats to delighted and laughing residents at 84 addresses. People who answered their doors expecting to give out candy were instead handed a bag containing two new energy-efficient lights. Event participant “Sherlock Holmes” noted, “It was gratifying to see how surprised and happy this made people.”

One resident told us, "This is such a great idea! We recently switched all of our bulbs to CFLs and are saving $60 a month." She turned to her neighbor and said, "You have to take some. This is amazing!"

We gave out more than 180 CFLs that were donated by National Grid and the Tufts Office of Community Relations. The First Annual Medford Reverse Trick or Treat exceeded our expectations, and we are already looking forward to expanding on our success with a bigger event next year!

Thanks so much to all the sponsors and others who helped organize this event, especially JR Siegel, Allie Lipps, Becky Hemperly, Kim Wardwell, Catherine Smith, Alicia Hunt, Brad Steele of EFI, and Barbara Rubel at the Tufts Office of Community Relations.

Susan Altman, Green Medford

Happy Reverse Trick or Treat!

2010-10-15T16:09:00.005-04:00

Hi all! I want to share with you a very fun idea and ask for your help in making it a big success!

We’re calling our event “Reverse Trick or Treat,” thought up by JR Siegel, a student at the Fletcher School and a Medford resident. The idea is for a bunch of residents to get together on Halloween, hopefully including kids, to make it more fun for everyone.

Dressed in fun costumes (but nothing too scary), teams of two or three (no kids without an adult) will ring doorbells in a residential neighborhood during trick or treating time. We’ve been given several hundred energy-efficient lights (CFLs) by National Grid and Tufts to give away to folks who answer their doors. The more of us there are to participate, the more bulbs we can give out. The kids, of course, will do regular trick or treating at the same time!

We want to focus on a neighborhood with lots of families that might not already have CFLs or know all they need to about saving electricity and money by switching to energy-efficient lights.

We also would like to find a reporter to walk around with us and take pictures and talk to people about the event.

In addition to us in Green Medford, we already have all these sponsors committed!

EFI/National Grid, Tufts University Office of Community Affairs, Fletcher Green (a student group at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy/Tufts), and the Medford Energy and Environment Office.

Please join us! Contact Susan Altman, Green Medford, susan.altman@comcast.net, 781-395-4664, or J.R. Siegel, Fletcher Green, j.r.siegel@gmail.com.

Happy Halloweeeeeeeen!

Work Parties for 10-10-10

2010-10-07T23:17:00.000-04:00

This Sunday is 10-10-10: The Global Day of Work for Climate Action. Well over 5,000 events have been registered on the 350 website! IN Medford, there is a weatherization barnraising going on Sunday from 12:30-4 (with pizza to follow) at Tufts. There are also dozens of actions going on in Winchester, Arlington, Somervil...le, Cambridge, Boston--everywhere! There are bike rides, tree plantings, rallies--the list of events is amazing, creative, and huge! Go work on something, or just show up for support. Find events nearby by going to http://www.350.org/map and typing "02155" in the search box.

Medford Energy Committee Announcement

2010-09-16T13:59:00.000-04:00

The City of Medford is creating a Medford Energy Committee comprised of volunteer residents and staff to work with the City’s Office of Energy and Environment. The committee will support the City’s goals of energy independence and environmental stewardship. Members of the committee will provide technical assistance and consultation to the City as well as organize energy and environmental programs and projects. In addition, members will assist the Office with community outreach and education. The Committee will have regular evening meetings once a month in addition to relevant projects throughout out the year.

The City is currently seeking Medford residents and staff who are interested in serving on the Medford Energy Committee. We are looking for people who are either very knowledgeable in energy efficiency and clean energy, or are interested in energy and have strong connections with other community groups to serve as liaisons to groups throughout Medford.

Interested parties should submit the on-line application by October 8^th, which will be reviewed by the office. Qualified applicants will receive an interview and Committee Members will be appointed by the Mayor. The application is available from the City’s website under News and Events at http://www.medford.org/

Residents not interested in serving on the committee, but who would like to be contacted to volunteer on future energy or environmentally related projects may also fill out the form and select “I’m not interested in serving on the committee, but you may contact me for specific projects based on the information I’ve supplied below” or you may send an email to Alicia Hunt, Energy Efficiency Coordinator at ahunt@medford.org to be included in our volunteer database.

Questions can be directed to Alicia Hunt, Energy Efficiency Coordinator at ahunt@medford.org

Medford Office of Energy and Environment, September 16, 2010

Let's Get to Work on Climate Change! Medford's Global Work Party on 10-10-10

2010-09-15T11:32:00.005-04:00

Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN), of which Green Medford is a member group, is running a fun contest for October 10.

Some of you may remember the 350.org Day of Action last fall, where people around the world got together to form the number 350 and took photos of themselves calling for reducing carbon dioxide levels to 350 parts per million.

This year, 350.org is planning a “Global Work Party” on October 10 (10-10-10) to encourage climate action in communities and to influence local and national leaders to act on climate change. Groups around the world have come up with fun, easy, and creative ideas.

Several MCAN chapters are planning events already, including Winchester, Needham, Lexington, Weston, Acton, Maynard, Brookline, Carlisle, Wellesley, Duxbury, and Quincy. (Winchester is doing all sorts of things: cleanups on foot, bike, and canoe/kayak, clearing invasive species, asking everyone to go without fuel/electricity for 3.5 hours, and a climate concert.)
Let's get to work in Medford too! If we get the most people involved and take a photo of us all, we could win $250 for future action, or tickets to the MCAN Conference. (Disclosure: I work for MCAN, so I would not accept anything personally.)

Here are the first two great activities being planned:

A Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) Barnraising, being planned by some Tufts students. (all the details are at the bottom of this message.)
A plastic bottle turn-in event, which will involve kids in gathering bottles, a contest to guess how many bottles are in the big clear plastic bag, and figuring out how much carbon is saved by recycling those bottles, and by switching from bottles to tap water.

MCAN wants to encourage MCAN chapters and allies to get involved and is offering these prizes:
· A $250 Wolfe Rita Grant to the chapter that takes a photo of the most people showing up for the work party
· 4 (four) admissions to the MCAN Conference on October 24, for the “most creative” project (a totally subjective and whimsical judgment).

In addition to the offering prizes MCAN will help to publicize our events to regional media and elected officials before and after 10/10. Elected officials are very receptive to constituent activities and the climate issue and photos etc. provide excellent visual evidence and emotional impact that a letter alone just can’t.

Please comment about this event: What do you want to do for 10-10? Can you help organize something? What other people and groups would be interested? Can you tell them about this? There are hundreds of great ideas at 350.org if you want to draft off them.

This will be a fun day and an important statement too--that we are not waiting around for our national officials to fail to act!

Contest rules follow.

MCAN "GET TO WORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE" CONTEST RULES:
1. Plan a work party for 10/10 (or thereabouts) and register details about your event at www.350.org/oct10 . If you’re not getting together in person Print the attached MCAN Sign for each person who attends the work party.
3. Have each person pin the sign to their shirt or hold it up.
4. Take a photo of everyone together, or have everyone sign your attendance document/website.
5. Post your photo to our website or send your photo/attendance list to rob.garrity@massclimateaction.net .
6. Tell us how many people are in the photo or attended the event.

_________________________________________________________

Tufts HEET Party:

Do you like the environment? Do you hate climate change? Do you want to do something about it?

Here’s your chance! On Sunday, October 10th, 2010, Tufts will celebrate practical actions to cut carbon – in conjunction with thousands of other events around the world – with a Global Work Party. Climate change can seem scary and overwhelming, but there are things we can do to combat it; 10/10/10 is a day to celebrate climate solutions!

Imagine: bike repair workshoppers in San Francisco, tree planting teams in Japan, community garden harvesters in New Zealand, and solar panel installers in Kenya. And most importantly, YOU at TUFTS!

For Tufts’ Global Work Party we’re partnering with HEET to weatherize ATO (map), the Swimming/Diving and Sailing “Coternity” on the Medford campus. Tufts student, staff, and faculty volunteers alongside members of the Medford and Somerville communities will be making ATO more energy efficient, cutting carbon, and reducing water use. The event will take place from 12:30 to 5:30pm on Sunday, October 10th.

Where do you fit in?
There are lots of ways to get involved with Tufts’ Global Work Party: we need volunteers, team leaders, and enthusiastic energy efficiency advocates; there are different levels of involvement too – from leading a barnraising team to just showing up and getting trained on the day of the project. If you have experience in construction or weatherization, great (be a team leader)! If not, you'll learn (come on 10/10/10 ready for action)!

Here’s what to expect as a volunteer:

1) You’ll learn something! You’ll get training and experience in weatherization techniques, many of which you can use in your own home.

2) You might get dirty! Weatherization work includes using things like caulk and spray foam, which stain clothing; it also includes changing light bulbs, which, at worst, might get you a bit dusty.

3) You’ll get fed! Dinner will be provided after the weatherization is complete.

4) You’ll be entertained! There will be a presentation during dinner on Green Energy sponsored by the Tufts Energy Forum.

5) You’ll have a great time! Not only will you get to help make ATO more energy efficient, but you’ll be cutting carbon with friends, fellow Jumbos, and Medford and Somerville neighbors.

With your help, 10/10/10 is going to be the biggest day of practical action to cut carbon that the world has ever seen!

E-mail Get.to.work.Tufts@gmail.com for more information
or sign up at
http://www.350.org/barnraising-ato-tufts
or go to our FB event page at
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117204061660586&index=1

See you on 10/10/10!

Sponsored by:
Tufts Institute of the Environment
Tufts Office of Sustainability
Tufts Energy Forum
ECO
HEET

2010-06-20T17:09:00.003-04:00

Join our Steering Committee and help us plan how to make Medford greener, cleaner, healthier, and safer for all our residents! We meet regularly on Tuesday evenings, typically at a member's home. Call Susan at 781-526-4714 to find out more.

The Next Steering Commitee meting will be June 22, 7:30 pm.

2010-06-20T17:06:00.003-04:00

Join our Steering Committee! You can help make Medford residents a powerful force for improvement in our surroundings, our air, our water, and our families' health. Call Susan at 781-526-4714.

Vision and Mission Statements

2010-06-13T13:42:00.006-04:00

Our vision is to make Medford an environmentally sustainable community.

Green Medford seeks to educate the Medford community to understand our environmental impact, and to empower members of our community to make more sustainable energy choices related to homes and businesses, transportation, and food.