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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-12 Solid Waste Advisory Committee MinutesSolid Waste Advisory Committee March 12,1997; Berger Room, Reading Town Hall Annex Members Present - Bob Brown, Kay Clark, Jean Krogh, Carol Nelson, Jackie Chipman, Anne Mark Staff - Ted McIntire; Guest - Jennifer Culbert Kay called the meeting to order at 7:31p.m.. The February 12 meeting minutes were approved by a vote of 4-0-0. Select Board Comments Recycling every other week was recommended. According to Ted, we went to bi-weekly to save money. In order to go back to weekly, we would have to re-negotiate the contract. Reactivating the block leaders was also recommended. Anne pointed out that using the block leaders would only be beneficial if we had a specific project for them to work on. We should keep the block leaders in mind as we get further into our education program. The Select Board agreed with our goals, particularly the 100% participation. There seemed to be some confusion over the 50% diversion rate. Drop-Off of Recvclables Carol reported that Osco Drug is reconsidering their position to allow drop-off bins to be located on their property. The contact at Osco, Deanne Ilg, stated the bins were larger than they expected, however she is checking with one additional person before declining. There was discussion of placing the bins at the Union Street lot. DPW could staff it every weeks, but not on a regular schedule. It was recommended that it could be staffed every other week by a SWAC member. Ted commented that if it does go to the Union Street lot, it would eventually be manned by DPW. When the drop-off site is confirmed and ready to use, an announcement campaign should be implemented to notify the apartment and condo dwellers of the hours of operation. Plus it should be publicized on the cable channel and in the paper Subcommittee Meeting The main topic for the subcommittee meeting was scheduling events for Larch Week. We ~aill be hostin<-Y a table at the Atlantic on the 19`r' passing out red barrels (a sign up sheet will be used), possibly handing out summary fliers Jean is workim-, on, and informing residents about the Coalition for the Homeless collection Recycling barrels will be placed Downtown on the 18`'', next to trash bins, the cable channel will feature videos (Anne is followin-, up with John Upton), and sandwich boards nnav he strategically placed around fovtin (Lynda to follow up) Ka, pointed out that a large Earth Day event should be planned h~ multiple groups, not just AC Something to consider for next year Anne displayed a timeline/chart to track our coverage of'acti~ities as they relate to our goals Anne will contact Debby McCulley at the Chamber of Commerce regarding bag reduction. by the merchants of Reading. That would be directly tied to trash reduction/diversion. Ted reported that "Reading Notes" may be replaced by a quarterly newsletter from the Town. Peter Hechenbleikner is spearheading this for a later date. Reading Report Card Bob has requested a list of other Towns' recycling rates to compare to Reading and will share this once he receives it. Reports and Comments Bob recommended that we discontinue button batter collection. Bob wants to focus on nicad battery recycling instead. Anne will follow-up with Johnson's Hardware to see if they are still participating in the nicad battery program. If we do decide to phase out the program, Bob has volunteered to.collect the boxes from the various locations. Ted and Jackie have been working together to update the Reading Recycles flyer. It will be ready to mail to all residents on April 15. Coalition for the Homeless collects furniture, dishes, lamps, etc. but NOT appliances. Lynda has been making arrangements for pick-up April 28 and 29. People have to call Lynda to make an appointment for pick-up. It will be publicized in the Chronicle, on cable tv, and in church and school newsletters. It will also be publicized as an Earth Day activity. May 5-9 is bulk collection day by the Town. Bob reported on the tour of North Shore Recycled Fibers, which is the company that makes paperboard materials. Upcoming Events Bob also spoke of upcoming MassRecycle events including REAPS presentations for kindergartners to build earthworm farms. Anne will work with Ted on filling out grant forms for Town-wide REAPS grants for next year There is an EnviroExpo at the World Trade Center on April 29, 30, and May 1. Old Business Bob passed out a recycling participation breakdown, which had been updated from last time New Business None Adiourn The meeting concluded at 9:05 p.m. Carol Nelson