HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-06-14 Solid Waste Advisory Committee MinutesMinutes of Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Berger Room, Town Hall Annex
Wednesday, June 14,1995
ATTENDEES: Bob Brown, Linda King (guest), Ted McIntire, Anne Mark, Martha Moore, Lynda Zarrow.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 7:30. The May minutes were unanimously approved as amended.
REVIEW DRAFT OF REPORT TO BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
Bob's report was enthusiastically accepted. Anne will edit the document and make additions as discussed (separate
White Paper Collection into a separate heading, include a section about the letter we sent to Reading organizations
about textile recyclers, insert information about our contacts with area communities regarding the state recycling
report card).
REPORTS AND COMMENTS:
A. BUTTON AND RECHARGEABLE BATTERY COLLECTION
Bob collected 1/2 pound of button batteries. Lynda collected a small amount which was added to Bob's
collection. Lynda also picked up a large bag of NiCad batteries from the Senior Center, which she will save for the
hazardous waste collection in October.
B. ENVIRONMENTAL EXPO
Bob and Anne both attended this event and will leave information collected from the expo at the library.
Bob spoke with Tewksbury Industries regarding possibilities for recycling "white goods" (large metal appliances)
beginning in FY97 (July 1996). We will begin to contact other communities to see how they collect these goods.
C. NSRRC AND MUNICIPAL RECYCLING COMMITTEE (MASS-RECYCLE) MEETINGS
Bob attended the NSRRC meeting in May and obtained book covers containing recycling information.
SWAC decided not to investigate these, since the Navy already provides free book covers to students. EcoSmith
presented information about textile recycling.
Bob attended the Mass-Recycle meeting on May 22 where information was provided about mining landfills
for recyclables (to minimise or delay capping). Bob learned that a plant tour, of a new paper mill in Fitchburg, will
be conducted in the near future.
D. UNIT PRICING MEETING - WOBURN
Anne and Ted attended this meeting and obtained information from case studies on communities that have
instituted unit pricing. Each SWAC member and selectman will complete a worksheet "Defining the Goals of Your
Unit Based Program" to ensure that our goals are clear and well-defined.
E. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
The recent collection was a success, filling 3/4 to 7/8 of the tire collection truck. Materials were processed
as received, avoiding a backlog.
F. WHITE PAPER COLLECTION
We will revisit this topic next month with Ruth Clay.
/1- `11, LIBRARY CIRCULATION BOX
- Anne removed some material since the May meeting. Because we are adding information about unit pricing
and from recent area meeting, the box will be cleaned out again this coming month. To assist each other in
identifying pertinent articles/issues, we will note items of interest on the cover of each document. Contributors who
do not wish others to write on their material will attach a "post-it" to allow for comments.
H. OGDEN-MARTIN INCINERATOR TOUR
Bob and Jean Krogh toured Ogden-Martin and were impressed by the facility.
STATUS OF GRANTS
Ted will contact Peter Hechenbleikner and Richard Foley, the town accountant, to determine the price of compost
bins. The 'DPW will contact all residents, who expressed interest in the bins on Earth Day, to inform them of the
price.
Ted did not have additional information about the educational flyers. He will provide an update at the July meeting.
STATUS OF DISPOSAL CONTRACT
Ted is in the process of reviewing the contract proposed by Odgen-Martin, which will allow for a reduction in waste
(due to increased recycling) without penalty. The existing RESCO contract expires 7/2/95. Waste Management has
agreed to a short-term interim contract of up to a year until Reading signs a new disposal agreement.
STATUS OF READING LANDFILL CAPPING
Perrin can provide free clay to Walker's Brook Road, which will be tested for contaminants. Reading is required by
iaw to cap the landfill. Issues to address including lighting and dust associated with delivering the clay.
COMPUTER RECYCLING
A subcommittee will be formed by Anne, Lynda, Martha (as liaison to the schools) and Linda King (guest) to
organize a computer "swap" in the Fall, to be held at the DPW garage. Tentatively, the process is described as
follows:
Computers will be dropped off by residents early, on a Saturday. They will be sorted by type (i.e. Apple,
IBM) and grouped into working and non-working areas. For the next few hours, school representatives will be
allowed to select computers that may be needed at their school. For the final hours, residents will be allowed to
choose from remaining equipment. Anything left over will be delivered by volunteers (in groups of 10 - 12 PCs two
times per week) to a collector of old computers.
Issues to address: coordinating the above process, disposal of PCs not accepted by the collector, storage of
equipment before pick-up. The sub-committee will try to meet in the next few weeks to clarify the process further.
SELECTMEN'S MEETING APPROVING NEW SWAC MEMBERS - JUNE 20
Bob has not yet received information about applicants for the SWAC, except for previous contact with Jean Krogh.
There may be more applicants than existing positions. Bob will contact existing SWAC members when he receives
applicant information.
OTHER OLD BUSINESS
Lynda reported that she mailed letters to 21 Reading organizations regarding textile recycling, and the potential for
using these vendors to conduct fund-raising events. She will send the information to Jane Rzepka at the Unitarian
Universalist church, for distribution to the Clergy Association.
NEW BUSINESS
Anne will review her files to identify material to present to the Chamber of Commerce regarding
advertising/sponsorship opportunities for Reading Businesses that relate to solid waste issues.
Ted asked that we think about what should be included in future curbside recycling (i.e. mixed paper, white goods,
condos and apartments, florescent light bulbs).
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10 p.m. - Lynda Zarrow