July 2019

Sustainable Warwick Minutes 

July 17, 2019


NO MEETING NEXT MONTH. 
JOIN US FOR A NO-WASTE POTLUCK PICNIC AT WICKHAM LAKE
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 21st at 6:00PM

Actions and Events:

  • Repair Café Saturday, July 20, 10-2 at the Warwick Senior Center

  • Dedication of Bill Hess Community Orchard and plaque honoring Gretchen Gibbs, who bequeathed money to SW and other community non-profits—Sunday, July 21 at 10.30 a.m. at the Community Center, 11 Hamilton Ave.

  • For information on HeatSmart (heat pumps), contact Carolyn Cassata at Energize NY at 914-302-7300 ext. 8107.

  • Still time to join the SW team for the Plastic Free Ecochallenge at plasticfree.ecochallenge.org

  • Volunteers needed for SW’s hosting of the Community Dinner at the Community Center in October.

  • Urge Gov. Cuomo not to allow the Danskammer power plant in Newburgh to be converted to a gas plant, not to allow the Williams gas pipeline, and not to allow DEC to approve the air quality permit for CPV.  518-474-8390

In Attendance: Elaine Risch, Christy Erfer, Jamie Bogert and Bob Bogert (Alpine Air), Carolyn Cassata (Energize NY), Stephanie Bassler (North River Architecture), Jerry Ruebenstahl, Bill Makofske, Chad Pilieri, Mary Makofske, Michael Helme (meeting chair), Julia Calderon, Bill Greene, Ryan Muehlbauaer, Lenny Valentino, Meran Cohen, Allen Clarkson, Marie-Christine Wolfe, Lionel Wolfe, Brian Baird, Valerie Lucznikowska, Mary Tirinato, Greg Galluccio, James Bruyn, Geoff Howard, Pat Foxx

Minutes:

  • Presentation on zero net energy homes (Carolyn Cassata, Jamie and Bob Bogert, Bill Makofske, Stephanie Bassler, Michael Helme) centered on:

- Making houses energy efficient through passive house design choices, sealing, and insulation
- Heating and cooling as efficiently as possible (heat pumps)
- Obtaining green electricity (solar panels, community solar, renewable provider of electricity)
- Taking advantage of rebates and tax credits to fund improvements
- Improving building codes to require net zero energy ready houses

  • There are openings for a new treasurer/liaison to Community2gether, new Steering Committee member, and new members on the Membership Committee. Elections will occur in November. Please contact a member of the Steering Committee or email sustainablewarwick5@gmail.com if interested.

  • Eighteen people joined the SW team in the Plastic Free EcoChallenge, which runs through July. Sign up to participate at bit.ly/plasticfree-sw

  • Stephanie Bassler invited SW members to the Passive House Alliance-Hudson Valley meeting on Sept. 4, 4-6 p.m. in Newburgh.

  • Julia Calderon requested that someone write a letter to the editorthanking Mayor Newhard for sending the best practices letter to local restaurants. 

  • The September Book Club will be reading Falter by Bill McKibben. Noon Tuesday, Sept. 10 in Wisner Library.

  • The next Vegetarians and Friends potluck will be Monday, August 19. Email SWVandF@gmail.com for more information.

  • Repair Café had flyers distributed at the Warwick Drive-in over July 4 weekend.

  • Pat Foxx requested funding for an art project placing signs on trees to show their importance as de-carbonizers. Request referred to committee. 

minutes by Mary Makofske

Christy Erfer