Windmills to Web Sites

To initiate discussion and solicit ideas, the following committee was proposed on the

nemasket discussion forum:

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A number of us have listened to town residents and town employees with some great ideas.

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One of the possible ideas was a 'technology committee' that remains to be fully defined and fleshed out.

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The definition is flexible, but allow me to toss out some ideas.
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As you know, one of my concerns is the failure of the town to address or consider the environment, energy consumption and fuel efficiency.

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A portion of the discussion, of course, directly relates to your tax dollars.
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Why isn't the town considering purchasing LNG vehicles?
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The issue of the 212 items appearing on the town's insurance list has previously been presented.

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Those vehicles are not tracked.
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The maintenance records are not on the town's computer.
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The vehicle mileage, cost, MPG are not readily available for evaluation.
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What if the town owns a vehicle that's a real gas guzzler?
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What if the maintenance costs have exceeded what's reasonable?
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We record our personal MPG as an indicator of a maintenance issue, but the town doesn't.

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What if a department vehicle suddenly went from 20 MPG to 8 MPG? Who would know?
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And the issue of a managed approach to vehicle purchase has previously been addressed with the disparity of vehicle use by departments.

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Would it make sense to install GPS on town vehicles to track MPG?
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It would seem to improve fuel economy and address environmental concerns.
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It has the potential of reducing the town's liability, but it also has the potential of providing emergency information. Although it might be difficult to describe the precise emergency in which it would be necessary to locate a town vehicle, does it make sense?

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The GPS technology has declined in cost and might be nominal compared to savings.
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Consideration of municipal energy consumption per building might be considered. Potential savings and improvements could be evaluated.

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What would storm windows on the Town Hall cost? What is the energy usage?
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If Taunton's School Department saved $500K, what could Middleboro save?
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If the G&E was involved as a partner, what could be accomplished?
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The purpose of the committee might be written broadly enough to include ALL technologies and ideas.

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It might begin with 5 members and 2 alternates appointed by the Town Moderator.
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Other towns have moved forward and created greener towns. Why can't Middleboro?_________________

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The expectation would not be that participants would possess the expertise in a wide range of fields, but rather that they could solicit input from experts, investigate the feasibility, pursue funding and be open to ideas that are currently ignored.

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The DOR Report contained comments about the failure of Middleboro to employ technology.

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The following offer some information:
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MASSACHUSETTS TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATIVE

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MMA Innovation Award winner:
Cambridge Energy Alliance seeks to reduce electricity usage
Monday, January 28, 2008
MMA Innovation Award winner - award presented on Jan. 12, 2008

Cambridge drew national attention last spring when it unveiled a wide-ranging partnership with the Henry P. Kendall Foundation designed to sharply reduce energy use and the production of greenhouse gases.

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MMA MunEnergy
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Why not Middleboro?
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'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.' Margaret Mead