HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-12 Solid Waste Advisory Committee MinutesSolid Waste Advisory Committee
June 12,1996; Berger Room, Reading Town Hall Annex
Present Members - Bob Brown, Kay Clark, Jean Krogh, Martha Moore, Sally Sabo, Lynda Zarrow
Associate Member - Carol Nelson Staff - Ruth Clay, Ted McIntire; Guests - Linda King, Jackie
Chipman
Sally called the meeting to order at 7:35p.m.. The May meeting minutes were approved after it was
requested "Bob Burns" be changed to "Bob Brown."
Review of Report to Board of Selectmen:
Carol recommended adding the Reading Web site as another form of "Education". Under the heading
"Community Activities", Martha recommended we emphasize reducing waste, in addition to increasing
recycling. She commented that the FinCom committee seemed to focus on recycling issues only during
their meeting.
Minor changes were also given to Lynda for the "Dear Reading Resident" form letter. This letter will be
sent by Ted's office to any Reading resident who corresponds to SWAC or The Town with regard to unit
pricing.
Board of Selectmen SWAC Appointment:
Three year terms were granted to Kay, Anne, and Jackie. The one year term was appointed to Carol.
Jackie expressed her concern about being a three year member due to the fact she is trying to begin
another committee, and may have to resign early. Bob noted that Laurel Kluge has submitted an
application for an associate member position. The Committee recommended we accept her application.
Reports and Comments:
Bob collected less than an ounce of button batteries from Johnson's Hardware, we will begin to phase out
this program.
Reading Community Day was a grand success. Jean, Anne, Martha and Sally represented SWAC and
spoke to about 30 people, 9 of which requested information on composting bins.
Bob circulated new publications for us to review for the circulation box. Jean noted that the Master Plan
notebook is not missing, just relocated to a bookshelf in the Local History Room of the library, close to our
circulation box.
Ted is to provide Jean with information about recycling changes effective July 1, 1996. She will prepare
an article for the June Reading Nom.
Bob reported that composting was a key topic at the NSRRC meeting.
With regard to HHW collection, Ruth suggested we remain in contact with the Hazardous Waste
Committee, but let them handle the issues surrounding the household hazardous waste collection.
Bob visited Prins, which is a materials recycling facility dealing primarily in newspaper collection. Bob
noted that they sort, bail and sell newspaper. Sally expressed that the profitability in newspaper and
plastic recycling is at a severely low level.
Bob, Sally and Jean gave the computer collection from June 8 an A+i Over 100 forms were received,
although it is yet to be determined how many actual pieces of computer equipment were collected.
Linda King will contact East-West Foundation to see if we can get a firm number that Jean and Lynda
can include in a follow up article to the Chronicle and Suburban News. Lynda has several pictures from
the collection she will ask to be included as part of the article.
The Board discussed having another computer collection next May or early June. For next year, the
following recommendations were made: 1.) have East -West provide a truck the day of the collection; 2.)
add more support staff from SWAC; 3.) don't use the stickers because they aren't fully utilized and slow
the drop-off process; 4.) print the drop-off form in the paper before the collection as a matter of time-
savings and awareness to the public.
It was noted that old disks, printer cartridges, and manuals were also donated. Jean recommended putting
quality pieces to the side for schools to choose from. Bob commented that systems aren't kept as units,
they are separated.
Bob attended the DEP meeting, along with 13 other communities, including Cambridge, Lawrence,
Winchester, and Newton. The common topic from all communities was their lack of funds for recycling
programs. It seems some communities are allocating more money to school budgets.
Unit Pricinn - The Next Step - FinCom Meeting:
Lynda circulated a first draft unit pricing survey. We discussed including the survey with the direct mail
flier that will note new changes to recycling, in addition to sending it to Town Meeting members. Carol
recommended including Linda King in the review process of this survey. Martha will contact Linda about
summarizing the data once it's collected and entered into a database.
Kay reported that the meeting with FinCom didn't go well, especially since they didn't discuss the
numbers/reports she provided. They are going to assign a liaison to work with our group. Kay also noted
that meeting with various civic groups is going to be difficult since most groups have their schedules set
for the next few months, or aren't meeting at all. Martha proposed we also meet with social action
groups. Ruth suggested we aim to present at precinct meetings this fall.
Status: Disposal Contract and New Recvclinu Contract:
Ted reported that the contract for collection and recycling is still being worked on. Ruth asked Ted to add
white paper recycling to the bid specifications, since the white paper recycler we currently use no longer
services our area.
Old Business:
Good news: several of the new Earth Machines were received by the DPW on 6-12-96, 30 Brave New
Composters arrived, and the brush was chipped at the compost area.
New Business:
Martha provided a "pre-cycle" tips and hints flier. We think this flier would be ideal to include as part of
an information packet for civic, social action, and precinct meetings. In addition, in could be distributed
at the Atlantic table we plan to sponsor later this summer.
The Atlantic table would be an ideal opportunity for SWAC to promote unit pricing and changes to our
recycling program, however Kay recommended the unit pricing subcommittee meet first to revisit and
possibly revise their agenda.
The question was raised as to whether or not Reading has a mandatory recycling policy. This issue will
be resolved at the next meeting
Adjourn:
The meeting concluded at 9:25 p.m. Carol Nelson