HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-12 Solid Waste Advisory Committee MinutesSolid Waste Advisory Committee
12 May 1999, Arnold Berger Room, Town Hall
present at meeting: (members) Bob Brown, Jackie Chipman, Jennifer Culbert, Anne Mark, Lynda farrow, -
(associate member) Nate White; (staff) Ted McIntire
Jackie called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. The minutes of the April meeting were approved as corrected +
0-1).
Recycling in schools Cafeteria recycling in the schools has started and is working out well according to Ted.
Status of Junior Edition of Hidden Treasures The only school to respond to Jackie's request for recycling
illustrations was the Barrows School. Jennifer suggested using only those illustrations since the other elementary
schools appeared uninterested in participating. Jackie formed a sub-committee (Jackie, Lynda and Jennifer) to
determine the feasibility of publishing a junior edition now or in the fall (the possible delay due to SWAC's
declining membership and the large amount of time spent by committee members planning Earth Day),
CRT Ban The DEP is reluctant to publish a time frame for CRT bans, fearing people will start putting them out
in their trash. Chris Rich at NE Computer Depot OK'd the article Anne wrote publicizing NE Computer Depot's
offer to collect used computers. Anne sent it to Reading Notes, The Advocate, The Chronicle and the Chamber
of Commerce (for their newsletter). Bob noted that Concord had a bulk waste/computer collection on 5/8/99 that
was very busy. Metech International, Inc. (a company from Rhode Island) took the computers. It was the first
time Metech conducted a municipal collection.
PAYT Since Bruce MacDonald resigned, we will until we hear from the Select Board before taking any action.
Enviro Expo Bob reported that the primary message was Innovation. North Shore Fibers is transporting
polystyrene with paper. Another company from the south shore is mixing all grades of plastic together to make
their own product - a patching product for asphalt. The paper and plastics markets are poor right now in part
due to the troubled Asian economy. Another area of innovation is convincing town officials to buy non-;toxic
industrial cleaners. Many towns besides Reading are having problems convincing those in charge of purchasing
decisions to buy recycled.
Compost Bin Contest A winner was selected from the "most creative thing I have done to recycle" entries
submitted on Earth Day. The winner, Annette Ambrose, starts seeds in empty egg cartons.
Reading's Hidden Treasure update Kay is free in June to make the changes. Ted said June would be fine.
Condo trash and recycling collection Of the eleven condos in Reading, seven are on board to date. Ted is
meeting with One Charles next week and expects them to take part in the services. Gazebo Circle has a trash
compactor; Ted feels they will probably not join in. The recycling is going very well so far. With the exception
of Avon House, the residents of the condos are recycling correctly and there has been little contamination. Ted
has pointed out the mistakes to Avon House.
Status of MR1P grants Ted noted that Phase 2 MRIP application is due May 15. As part of the MRIP
requirement, Lynda attended a "train the trainer" meeting. Lynda highly recommended the video, "Turning your
Spoils to Soil". It turns out the library owns the video. Anne is going to try to get it shown on cable.
Household Hazardous Materials Collection The collection is scheduled for May 15, 1999. The recent
collections have not been busy enough to cause any lines to form.
Committee Membership Bob, Lynda and Jennifer each know someone they will try to recruit to join our
committee. Nate is not interested in staying on as an associate member only. Anne suggested sending a letter to
the block leaders informing them our committee's vacancies. It was decided that we would hold off until Bob,
Jennifer and Lynda talk to the potential candidates they have in mind. No one was aware of any applications
turned in at Town Hall yet.
Events On June 8, 1999, there is a PAYT workshop.
New Business Ted reported that an apartment owner has requested collection services. It will go before the
Select Board.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Jennifer Culbert