HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-11 Solid Waste Advisory Committee MinutessZE.CFI
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Solid Waste Advisory Committee TWN CL
READING, I`
11 March 1998, Berger Room, Reading Town Hall
1448 APR 1
In attendance: (members) Bob Brown, Jackie Chipman (after 8:00), Kay Clark (after 7:45), Jennifer
Culbert (after 7:50), Jean Krogh, Anne Mark, Lynda Zarrow; (staff) Ted McIntire; (guests) Jeffery Griffin
(Director of Facilities for Reading schools and town buildings), Sally Hoyt (Selectwoman)
Bob Brown called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. The minutes of the February meeting were approved
as amended (4-0-1).
Lynda will ask Channel 3 for a copy of the cable TV show in which Jackie and Anne participated.
Anne reported that the Recycling Education Assistance to Public Schools (REAPS) providers and Richard
Davidson (principal of Birch Meadow) are still trying to contact each other about bringing REAPS
presentations to the Reading elementary schools this spring. The presentations are to be coordinated with a
visit from the Waste Management recycling truck. Ted will call Richard to coordinate this part of the
project. Jeffery Griffin stated his belief that there should be recycling programs in the schools; that it takes
staffing and dedication, but it can be done; and that he will help in any way he can.
Sharon Kishida (regional coordinator for Mass. Recycling Incentive Program (MRIP)) told Kay she has
sent information about the Buy Recycled tracking-system workshop to Ted. Ted is going to the workshop.
MRIP tracking-system criteria haven't been set yet.
Reading has received a DEP grant for flyers (listing basic recycling information for residents), brochures
("Don't Trash the Grass"), and compost bins (total monetary value about $10,000). The brochures will be
mailed with water/sewer bills. Carol Nelson (former SWAC member) has sent a buy recycled/eco-friendly
packaging brochure; Jennifer will bring a copy to the next meeting for Ted.
The deadline for "second-semester" MR1P grant applications is May 15. Reading will receive about $8000
for the "first semester"; this money will go into the Town's general fund. Town Meeting action would be
needed to move it into a revolving fund (like the compost bin fund) to be used for solid-waste-related
matters. The question was raised whether it would be worth the effort to do this, since we don't know how
long Reading will be eligible for MRIP money, given the escalation in requirements from "semester" to
"semester." Sally expressed her willingness to work with SWAC to encourage the Town to continue
meeting MRIP requirements. It was noted that instituting a pay-as-you-throw program for solid waste
disposal would pretty much meet the MRIP requirements.
Ted reported that a new shipment of compost bins has arrived; they'll be delivered by DPW/picked up by
customers during the next month. He estimates that 200 have been sold so far, and he plans to order 200
more.
A consultant from Applied Geographics is coming to talk to.,Reading about setting up a Graphical
Information System (GIS) (see March packet for Bob's report on GIS). Information about a town's streets,
sewers, hydrants, water services, etc., can be stored in such a system and can be used for (e.g.) setting up
snowplowing routes. Since Reading's trash hauler determines trash pick-up routes, there may not be a need
for Reading to have such a system for solid waste/recycling purposes.
In addition to the events listed on the March agenda, there will be a DEP Buy Recycled workshop on 3/19
and a Toxic Action Seminar in Newton on 3/21.
The Earth Day Subcommittee has scaled back Earth Day plans. Earth Day event information will be sent to
the Chronicle, Reading Notes, and PTO newsletters. Events publicized in this way will be the used textile
collection on 3/28, the Mass Coalition for the Homeless household goods collection on 4/22, and the bulk
waste, collection during the week of 5/4. Another Earth Day activity will be the Ipswich Watershed
Association Stream Team's 4/25 walk along the river.
Regarding the household goods collection, Lynda has prepared posters and submitted publicity information
to the Newcomers and Neighbors newsletter, the cable TV bulletin board, the school newsletters, and the
Chronicle. Lynda will ask Debbie McCulley (executive secretary of the Chamber of Commerce) whether
the Chamber can help put up posters for the collection and whether Chamber members could organize
Community Day (since Selectwoman Camille Anthony isn't doing it this year).
There was some general discussion of Earth Day activities and the committee's role in organizing them
(e.g., should the committee focus on Earth Day or Mass Recycles Day or try to organize activities for
both?). Jennifer suggested asking the Atlantic to make a card available (like the reused-bag punch card
they used to have) that shoppers would use to work toward getting a canvas shopping bag. Bob noted that
Earth Day needs to be a community effort and suggested that committee members visit Woburn's Earth
Day event to see what types of activities that community offers. Jackie suggested that the committee
should discuss to what extent it is meeting the goals and public education plans that were set last year.
Regarding Reading Notes: Anne's article about MRIP hasn't been published yet. Lynda will submit an
article about the Mass Coalition for the Homeless household goods pickup. SWAC wasn't included in the
annual reports published in Reading Notes. Ted suggested that the committee could submit an annual
report to be published in the DPW section of the Town's Annual Report. Bob will draft such a report; Jean
will edit it.
Lynda asked whether there is any way to measure whether the Hidden Treasure booklet has had an effect
on recycling/reuse rates. Numerous callers to Mission of Deeds (requesting pickup of household goods)
have reported learning about the Mission through the booklet. Ted reports that curbside recycling
percentages are up somewhat (may be around 13% by now).
Reading will not get landfill-capping material from the Big Dig after all. The Town will use 60,000 cubic
yards of its own material instead, from Strout Avenue.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Anne Mark
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