Climate Action Commission Ad Hoc Subcommittees

At a glance

What: the commission's priorities for the year and how to organize its work. A volunteer group presented three proposed subcommittees (buildings and energy, engagement and outreach, accountability and data) drawn from an October sticky-note and voting exercise.
Where it stands: on Oct 13 the commission voted by voice to establish the three ad hoc committees as presented in the meeting materials. Membership is still to be set.
Next: Kate Bossingham is to send a preference poll (with a "willing to lead" option) by Friday, and the groups are asked to meet before the November 10 meeting.

Themes from the exercise: strong interest in education and outreach, about 33% of votes on buildings and energy, little interest in transport and mobility, and schools as a cross-cutting theme. The spreadsheet holds 100+ ideas.
Buildings and energy: utility bill education, Mass Save outreach to landlords and renters, school decarbonization, geothermal.
Engagement and outreach: education, activating the public and coalition building, supporting city events, working with other commissions, advocacy.
Accountability and data: a periodic report on the Climate Forward plan, air quality and heat data, capital needs for municipal buildings.
Possible full-commission activities: membership, partner mapping, strengths mapping, and who the commission serves.

Commissioners asked how schools fit; the presenters said school topics can sit in any group.
One commissioner suggested limiting the other two groups to everything except buildings and energy to reduce overlap; others preferred flexibility and a pilot approach, with a pivot later if needed (for example toward land use or natural resources).
Bylaws were raised as a separate task; staff advised against drafting them as a group of 13.
Open meeting rules: subcommittees must stay below a quorum of the full commission. Twelve commissioners are sworn in, and the commission read its ordinance as requiring a simple majority, which is seven; ex-officio members do not count. Five or six members is the safe size.
A show of hands suggested spread interest, with four commissioners absent.

About 34 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-13 - Climate Action Commission	34

2026-10-13 - Climate Action Commission - Presentation of priorities and three proposed subcommittees; discussion of overlap and quorum limits; motion to establish the three ad hoc committees carried by voice vote.