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Green Needham Update: February 2011
Green Tip: Getting More from Egg Cartons
Finishing your eggs doesn't have the be the end of the carton. Click to our blog for creative uses for used egg cartons.
Read more green tips on our blog.
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Grant Help Needed!
Grant opportunities exist for several Green Needham projects and we need someone to assist in researching and writing grants. If interested, please contact Eleanor Rosellini.

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About Green Needham
The Green Needham Collaborative is a community-based group bringing together people and organizations to build a more sustainable community through collaborative efforts on energy and the environment.
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Greetings!

At a time when unrest overseas and a cold winter at home combine with rising gas and heating oil prices to remind us of our vulnerability, we also have an opportunity to take control of our future.  Over the next several months, boards and committees in Needham will be making the decisions that would allow us to join over 50 other towns and cities as Massachusetts Green Communities

The steps we take in becoming a Green Community will  save residents, businesses and the town energy and money while creating opportunities for additional projects and funding that will yield even greater savings and make our community more attractive to businesses and residents. 

Keep an eye on our web site and blog to learn more and to help us get there together. 
Green Communities Study Committee selected

The Needham Board of Selectmen has formally appointed the Green Communities study committee to review the impact of participation in the Green Communities Program.

Residents with expertise or interest are encouraged to to attend committee meetings and provide input to the process.

 

The group is in the process of determining their meeting schedule, which will be published soon (check our blog for updates). This group will make their recommendation to the Selectmen in the early spring.

 

Check our blog for more information, including a list of committee members.

Large turnout for Temple Aliyah Energy Fair
Temple Aliyah hosted its first Energy Fair on January 9th, with dazzling results. Over 200 visitors browsed booths of 24 vendors  - including Green Needham - in the Exhibition Hall at the Temple.

Attendees also had the opportunity to attend two lively presentations during the course of the morning. MassPIRG hosted a presentation on public transportation in Massachusetts, and over 40 people participated in Green Needham's Home Energy Efficiency Improvement seminar.

Read more about this great event, including a video, on our blog.
Olin College to work with Green Needham on Sustainability Initiatives
The Olin College of Engineering library has received a $5,000 grant to develop sustainability collections and programming in the areas of energy audits and native plants. As part of the community outreach for this grant, the library will be working with Green Needham on programming and educational initiatives.

For more information, please see our blog. Questions, comments or ideas can be sent to Dee Magnoni, Olin College Library Director, [email protected].
Needham Realtors Stepping Up!
Needham Realtors are being asked to step up and participate in the Needham 1,000 Energy Challenge.  So far 30% of the realtors at  Condon Realty and Coldwell Banker have made plans to reduce their energy consumption.  Most recently, the Realtors at Century 21 have risen dramatically to the challenge!

The total number of households participating has reached over 560 on the way to making our goal of 1,000 households.  We look forward to having more realtors get involved soon.  Realtors who are personally engaged in sustainable practices are great role models for their clients.

Read more about the 10% Energy Challenge on our website.
To paraphrase a former mayor of New York - "how're we doing?" Send us your thoughts and suggestions via e-mail or on our blog.

Sincerely,


Michael Greis
Green Needham Collaborative
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