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Minutes from Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meeting
Berger Room, Reading Town Hall
Wednesday, January 14,1998
Present: Bob Brown, Jackie Chipman, Jean Krogh, Jennifer Culbert, Lynda Zarrow.
Staff Member: Ted McIntire.
1. The meeting was called to order by Bob Brown at 7:35 p.m. Minutes from the
December 10, 1997 meeting were approved as corrected.
2. Additional Comments on Mass Recycles Day Program
SWAC received a letter from Sandra Little, Manager, Environmental Affairs,
congratulating the committee on the publication of Reading's Hidden Treasure.
3. Reports and Comments
Cable TV Show - No one on the committee has seen Jackie and Kay's interview to
date. It is scheduled to air January 15. Jennifer volunteered to videotape it.
MRIP - The proposal (due January 16) is currently awaiting Peter's signature. The
first period ended October 31, 1997. The next period ends in May. Each SWAC
member agreed to review the MRIP package to focus on the criteria that needs to be
met in the next six months. Bob also asked Ted to advise the committee if there is an
area where the criteria are not being met. Ted mentioned that we would be all set if
Reading had a "ply as you throw" program.
Mass. Recycles Day Appreciation Middleton - Kay accepted the plaque awarded to
Reading for "Most Complete Local Outreach." Bob said we are hoping to get the
Chronicle to publish an article about the award. Kay is also submitting an article for
Readin Notes. Bob will ask Kay to thank the block leaders ag ' in the article.
Compost Bins - The compost bins have arrived and all are taken per Ted. We get the
bins from grant money. Ted has applied for another grant to purchase 200 additional
bins. The DPW pays $30.56 for each bin and sells them for $20.00 each.
4. Information- Upcoming Events
The Ogden Martin meeting will be January 21, 1998 @ 10.00 a.m.
The Enviro Expo '98 is May 5,6 & 7 1998.
5. Video Tape - Re-refined oil - Safety- Kleen
We viewed the Safety- Kleen video. Everyone was very impressed with the oil and
expressed a desire to purchase the oil Unfortunately, however, the company is only two
years old and the oil is not widely available for purchase. Walmart stores and a retail
outlet in Chelsea, MA are the only two stores that sell it.
6. Discussion of Hazard Household Products
Bob discussed how hard it is to separate hazardous waste collection issues from those of
solid waste. He suggested redefining the responsibilities of the Hazardous Waste and
Solid Waste Committees. Ted pointed out that the Hazardous Waste Committee no
longer meets. They would only meet to discuss a specific problem (as it stands now).
Jean was concerned that there is currently no group in Reading responsible for educating
residents about the disposal of hazardous waste materials. Currently Ted runs Reading's
hazardous waste collections. He suggested SWAC check with other towns' Board of
Health Departments to see what their Hazardous Waste Committees do. Jennifer agreed
to research Andover and Burlington, Lynda took Lynnfield and Needham, Jackie will
check with Winchester and Woburn, and Jean will question Wakefield and Amhurst.
7. Discussion of Earth Day
Bob suggested planning an event in conjunction with something our committee is already
doing (i.e. textile collection, recycling truck visit). Additional ideas included a hydroseed
truck visit and a family concert. Jennifer will find out who the musician was at
Andover's concert celebrating Mass Recycles Day and also check with Kidstock Theatre
Company in Winchester to find out if they have ever done a play with a recycling theme.
8. Articles for Reading Notes
The articles for the February issue are due Jan 15. Bob will confirm with Kay that she is
submitting an article. If she has not done one, he will ask if the article Anne submitted
for the January issue can be printed in the February issue (since it was not published in
January).
9. Old Business
None
10. New Business
The Atlantic Supermarket no longer carries any'/2 gallon containers of milk in non-white
plastic. They stock mainly Hood products. Jackie has called Hood to inform them she
will no longer purchase Hood milk since there is currently not a good recycling market
for white plastic. Each SWAC member agreed to express our concerns to the Atlantic.
Lynda sent a thank you letter to Waste Management with a copy of Reading's Hidden
Treasure. 11
Bob mentioned a new company in Woburn that recycles tires. He'd like to find out more
about it.