1990-05-01 Board of Selectmen Minutes

Home Browse Search

Minutes of the Board of Selectmen Meeting May 1, 1990 The meeting convened at 7 : 00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA. Present were Chairman Russ Graham, Vice Chairman Dan Ensminger, Secretary George Hines , Selectmen Eugene Nigro and Sally Hoyt, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and the following list of residents: Fred VanMag- ness, Francis Connely, Mike Shannon, Anne Mark, Trish Brigham, Ronald Wood, Marjorie Merrill, Moreen Foley, Barbara McAllister, Sally Sabo, Judith Mitchel, and Carol Edwards. Also present were Ruth Cogan, Human Services and Ted McIntire, Public Works. Chairman Graham asked for a moment of silence for Marian Gould, an employee of the Town of Reading who has recently died after a bout with cancer. On motion by Nigro, seconded by Ensminger the Board voted to ap- point C. Dewey Smith as Registrar for a term expiring 3/31/93 by a vote of 5-0-0. The Board discussed the issue of trash collection and recycling. The history of trash collection tonnage as outlined by Ted McIn- tire is as follows: FY87 - 14,087 tons; FY88 - 14,403 tons; FY89 - (the first year of voluntary leaf composting) 13,760 tons; March 1989 to March 1990 - 12,964 tons which includes the first year of compulsory leaf composting. The Town Manager outlined three options based on a 13,000 ton base collection. This as- sumed the $79.50 RESCO rate. The following were the results: 1. Non-recycling - $1,423,423. 2 . Recycling 5% of the waste stream - $1,536,522. 3 . Recycling 10% of the waste stream - $1,484 ,847. It was estimated that the break-even point would be two to three years using recycling and having a recycling percentage increase to 25% within that time frame. The Town will also be reviewing plastics and white paper recyling on a drop off basis. Mr. Connely, custodian in the School Department, suggested using a transfer station concept and eliminating dumpsters since he felt that they are being abused. On motion by Ensminger, seconded by Hoyt the Board voted to indi- cate its intent to implement a recyling program for a three-year period and reduce the appropriate line item in the budget by $100 , 000 . . The Board will work towards development of a com- prehensive solid waste disposal policy encompassing recycling. The motion was approved by a vote of 5-0-0.