Earth Day Comes to Parker Middle School

The Parker Middle School has never been confused with an auto dealership, but Saturday the Reading school may just be the place to shop if you're considering an electric car.

Sponsored by the Reading Climate Advisory Committee, the town will celebrate Earth Day with four hours worth of hybrid and electric vehicles, and energy saving products for the home including solar, heat pumps, and other environmentally friendly options. The day starts at 10 a.m. on Temple Street and concludes at 2 p.m.

According to the town website, this year’s outdoor display of electric vehicles will include BMW’s i3, Chevrolet’s Volt (and possibly the new Bolt), Ford’s Focus & CMax models, Hyundai’s Ioniq elec, Kia’s Soul electric or Optima plug-in, Nissan’s Leaf and Volvo’s XC90. This is a great opportunity to easily compare these vehicles under one roof.

Many of the local town committees along with the Reading Municipal Light Department will also have tables with displays on the appreciation and good stewardship of our outdoors as well as numerous methods to reduce our energy consumption.

The event is free and very family friendly.

The Reading Climate Advisory Committee is an official town advisory committee, comprised of concerned citizen volunteers seeking to achieve environmental, economic and societal sustainability by raising public awareness and influencing the community, including its government, to reduce energy use and foster environmental stewardship in a cost effective manner.

The seven members of the committee include chairman David Zeek, along with Ronald D'Addario, Ray Porter, Laurie Ann Sylvia, Gretchen Latowsky, and associate members Gina Snyder and Dr. Jeffrey Everson.