HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-12-04 Solid Waste Advisory Committee MinutesReading Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Minutes of Meeting on December 4, 1991
Attendees: Committee members - Chairperson Anne Mark, Trish
Brigham, Carol Edwards, Linda King, Sally Sabo, Steve Thomases
and Don Anglehart. also in attendance were Debbie McCulley and
Bob Brown (RRP). Ruth Cogan was present for the first half of
the meeting.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Anne mark at approximately
7:30 p.m.
Anne Mark noted that the Town Manager would like the Committee's
recommendations concerning waste management options by mid-
December. The Committee has been working on options to be
presented to the Board of Selectmen concerning various waste
management issues such as: further privatization of waste
management services; development of a transfer station that could
accommodate recycling; development of a more equitable trash fee
approach; participation in a regional materials recycling
facility ("MRF"), etc.
Anne Mark and Debbie McCulley briefly summarized for the SWAC the
results of their discussions with a few towns (Hudson, Oxford,
and Sharon) that were believed to have "private" waste management
approaches. Sharon's experience seemed the most relevant to
Reading, and Don Anglehart agreed to do some follow-up research
on the "franchise" approach used by Sharon. Don also agreed to
write a summary of the "franchise" option for review by the SWAC.
Carol Edwards distributed a memorandum that summarized her
telephone survey regarding transfer stations. Carol is working
on a memorandum that lists the pros and cons concerning the
development of a transfer station.
Sally Sabo briefed the SWAC on her research concerning the
Somerville MRF. Sally said that the MRF will not be available
for at least 2 years, and more likely 3-4 years. This is
contrary to earlier rumors that the MRF might be on line sometime
in 1992. It was agreed that no memorandum was necessary
concerning the Somerville MRF option.
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Steve Thomases provided an update on his progress on the "trash
fee" memorandum, based on the following tentative budget numbers:
$ 729,000 - 93 "pass through" costs ($68/ton)
$ 239,000 - tipping fees
$ 395,000 - collection costs
$ 150,000 - recycling (biweekly, curbside)
$1.513M = $141/ton, assuming 10,750 tons (including 1500
recycled), or $131/to on 10,750 tons (0 tons
recycled)
This year, pass through costs alone would cause trash fees to go
from $20/quarter to $30/quarter.
Assuming a 401b. bag, a $2.95/bag fee would be required to cover
the "past through", tipping, and collection costs (including a
flat $150,000 amount for recycling)
Without the $150,000 recycling amount, the per bag fee would be
about $2.60.
If only the "pass through" costs were covered by the per bag fee
(not collection, tipping, or recycling), the charge would be
roughly $1.60.
Steve Thomases will draft a memorandum regarding the trash fee
issue.
Sally Sabo made a motion, which carried unanimously, that the
Board of Selectmen liaison to the SWAC, Dan Ensminger, be invited
to our next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, December 11
@7:30 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
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