HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-09 Solid Waste Advisory Committee MinutesW
Solid Waste Advisory Committee F CEIVED
Meeting Minutes - May 9, 2001 -OWN CLERK
P_ ADNG. MASS.
Members present - Anne Mark, Bob Brown, Joan Hoyt, Susan Giacalone Mary
Ellen and Keith Becker 2 OZ JUL ..3 A q; 40
Staff Liaison - Ted McIntire
Guests - Tom Ryan, Linda Zarrow, Jennifer Colbert,
Guest speaker - Jane Fiore, Board of Health Department Head
The meeting was called to order at 7:35. The minutes of the April meeting were
revised and corrected but not approved. Approval reserved for the June meeting.
7:40 - 8:35 Jane Fiore spoke regarding the collection of mercury thermometers
for the Town of Reading. She explained the reason for the concern
about mercury, the fact that the heavy metal is absorbed mostly by
brain cells. This is an especially important concern for growing
children. She now has funding for an exchange program. Reading
residences can come to the Board of Health on Tues. and Thurs.
and exchange their mercury containing thermometers for non-
mercury ones. She has arrangements for the items to be picked up
and taken to a containment site, currently the only available option.
Jane has prepared articles for the papers to run the next six weeks.
Jane will also prepare some kind of information to be available at
the Hazardous Waste Drop-off on 5/12.
8:35 - 8:45 Report on Earth Day. The event went well. Joan and Susan sat in
the Square form 9:00 until 1:00. They had several people approach
and ask questions. Joan wants to begin planning earlier next year.
Ted's Report - Gail Woods has been appointed the new liaison by the selectmen.
- Readings Hidden Treasures is on the Web.
- MRIP proposal is due.
- The previous two weeks have been scheduled leaf pick up.
- Current weeks bulk pick (Readings town swap meet) is going well.
- Hazardous Waste Drop-off is scheduled for Sat., May 12 and is a joint venture
with the town of Stoneham.
- Brush collection is progressing slowly, there is still at least three week of work.
Currently the town has four chippers going.
" Pay-as-you-throw " motion was passed by Town Meeting. The article instructs
the selectmen to devise a plan to collect money to offset the money spent by the
town for trash collection. Our committee will be responsible to come up with
proposals, but we must wait until the selectmen give us the direction they wish to
go. Of the 351 communities in the Commonwealth, 100 use Pay-as-you-throw
programs. The motion wants 1.1 million. This will be an on going discussion.
New Business - Bob and Anne are up for committee membership renewal and
both plan to move on. We need to find new members for the committee.
Keith Becker discussed printer ink cartridge recycling availability that he found at
the Post Office. Postage paid envelopes are available. The spent cartridge is put
in the envelop and recycled. A good alternative to the trash.
A tour of Ogden Martin is scheduled for 5124 at 9:00.
Adjourned at 9:55.