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Home My WebLink About1991-09-11 Solid Waste Advisory Committee MinutesP Reading Solid Waste Advisory Committee Minutes of Meeting on September 11, 1991 Arnold Berger Room - Town Hail 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Anne Mark, Chairperson. Committee members in attendance were., Don Anglehart, Trish Brigham, Carol Edwards, Linda King, Sally Sabo and Steve Thomases. Also in attendance were Maryellen Becker, RRP (Reading Recycles Plastic Committee); Bob Brown, RRP; Ruth Cogan, DHHS Liason; Jenny Cohen, Resident; Susan Cohen, MC Associate; Laurie Hall, RRP; Debbie McCulley, SWAC Associate; Leslie McGonagle, President, Reading Chamber of Commerce: and Ted McIntire, DPW Liason. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - AUGUST 21, 1991 Minutes of meeting of August 21, 1991 were accepted with the following corrections: • Debbie McCulley (sp), and Peter Johnson, RRP Chairperson were also in attendance. [N.B. Sara Cowart was also present] • RESCO (sp) • MWRA Hazardous Waste collection dates also include October 11 and 1B. 3. REPORT OF RRP COMMITTEE Maryellen Becker presented the RRP report. RRP met September 5, 1991. First collection of plastics will be on Saturday, September 28, 1991. RRP concerned with lack of for front-end expenses. It was explained by Ruth Co en that Processor's pick-up fee and dumpster rental are paid after the collection. Donations at the drop-off should cover those expenses. Only plastic bag purchase is needed in advance and RRP can cover that cost. RRP Research Committee has listed the following topics for further discussion and possible action: • More Plastic Types + White Paper • Clothing Paperback Book Exchange Communicate With Other Recycling Committees * Junk Mail Reduction + Glass and Other Materials Currently Picked Up Curbside (If Curbside Recycling is Completely Cancelled) + Talk to Businesses to do Their Own Recycling • Other Aspects of Recycling: + Deli Containers (cannot be legally reused) • Plastic Bags • Paper Bags Bob Brown asked when RESCO contract expires. June 30, 1995. Dave Williams, Parker Middle School Science Teacher, wants a group of Parker students to participate in a collection at some time. Sally Sabo circulated an exhibit of crushed plastic soda bottles and some of the products produced by their recycling, including a piece of, high pile floor carpet. Suggested donation at the drop-off will be indicated at $1.00 per vehicle. RRP does not, want to discourage either recycling without any donation or larger donations. 3. RECYCLING ALTERNATIVES In light of the officially proposed termination of curbside recycling to generate $135,000 in savings for the Town in the current budget crisis, requiring Reading to cut its budget by $750,000 owing to Governor Weld's Local. Aid cuts, SWAG had assigned studies of various alternatives to individual members at the previous meeting. Results of those studies have been circulated to members. Anne requested oral updates not already covered in the printed material. Trish reported that Wilmington expressed interest in having Reading residents use its drop-off. Wilmington is, however, exploring curbside recycling, so the future of its drop-off center is uncertain. Wilmington markets its awn recyclables. Steve reported that Chelmsford has achieved 55% participation in curbside pickup- for-fee since initiating its voluntary program on dune 30, 1991. It needs 70% participation to break even (at $30 per household) on its $186,000 curbside recycling contract. The $45,000 shortfall will be difficult to make up. Selectmen are discussing the future of the program at their next meeting on September 16, 1991. The 55% participation, which represents a good measure of success is due to: • Good habits formed during two years of recycling • Strong educational program, including school curriculum Weekly article in local newspaper • State bans on recyclables in the waste stream • Generally broad-base support. Chelmsford trash fee is now $80.00 per year, flat fee per household plus $1.15 per item sticker price. Linda reported that Cerretani's may be interested in drop-off in their parking lot after initially expressing disinterest. Carol reported that Stoneham may be interested in an exchange whereby Reading residents could use its drop-off center and Stoneham would use, and pay $15.00/T, Reading's leaf composting facility. Ruth reported that Hi ltz has offered to continue curbside recycling on a bi- weekly basis for $70,000, meaning that the Town must find that amount, $70,000, to cut elsewhere in the budget. To date, $12,000 can be saved by general overall reduction of rubbish tonnage being experienced, $3,000 from various items in the DHHS budget and $32,000 by not filling a vacancy for a Mechanic's position in DPW. $23,000 remains to be found. Ted agreed to explore, with Peter Heckenbleikner, the possibility of Hiltz going one more step in absorbing, or sharing that shortfall. 4J ~ 1 J • ~ 1 J "t G + +v+ l Iti V V • i i~ i1 i ✓ Li L J '2 Ruth reported that the trash fee is generating a large number of negative telephone calls. A recycling fee, voluntary or not, is not likely to be well received. Ann reported that RESCO intends to notify customers of its lack of recyclable sorting or storage capability. RESCO will not accept rubbish which they deem to contain banned recyclables. DEP assumes that bans will go into effect on schedule. Some towns are lobbying to have increased costs of rubbish due to State mandated bans put under a Prop 2.5 exclusion. DEP doubts this will happen. Debbie reported that North Reading developed their 200' X 500' drop-off site for a cost of $35,000. One-quarter to one-half of their participation is on Tuesday's and Thursday's. To come to closure on a recommendation for alternatives, the Committee developed the following matrix, rating four alternatives against six criteria: RECYCLING ALTERNATIVES MATRIX COST BANS LONG TO AND LEAD TERM TOWN ALTERNATIVE TOWN PARTIC TIME VIAB NKTS ADMIN TOT BI--WEEKLY CURBSIDE 4 1- 1 1 1 1 9 PRIVATE PAY CURBSIDE 1 2 2 1 1 3 10 OTHER TOWN DROP--OFF 1 4 3 4 3 2 17 READING OWN DROP-OFF 3 3 4 3 4 4 21 NOTES., 1. "1" is highest rated/best and "4" is lowest rated/worst. Lowest total is best rated alternative and highest total is worst rated alternative. 2. COST TO TOWN: Impact on Town of Reading budget. BANS AND PARTIC: Compliance with State recyclable bans and anticipated resident participation. LEAD TINE: Time required before actual implementation and start-up. LONG TERM VIAB: Liklihood of ability to continue for many years. MKTS: Liklihood of recyclables finding reliable markets. ~'-~TOWN ADMIN: Administrative burden to Town of Reading. It woLnved b and voted that bi-weekly curbside pick-up recycling is the first recommendation of the solid Waste Advisory Committee. Anne will prepare a report of the pros and cons of each alternative, as well as the SWAC recommendation, for the Board of Selectmen by Monday, September 16, 1991. 4. RECYCLER OF THE MONTH/YEAR It is the sense of the Committee, in view of the uncertainty f the Mon recycling, program. to discuss now the question of continuation of the Recycler It was,mqygd by Linda and imousl voted that Mike Shannon and his family be designated Recyclers of the Year 1990-1991. Were the program to continue, candidates might include RRP or others they may involve in recycling, teachers promoting recycling and recycling curricula, consignment shops, etc. Leslie McGonagle will sound out the CC Board, and the general membership on their interest in extending support of the program, should it continue. s. NEW BUSINESS The Recycling Anniversary Committee will meet, watch events as they unfold and report black to the SWAC. Anne will attend the North Shore Recycling Committee meeting on September 12 to discuss MRF's (Material Recycling Facilities). Jennifer Cushing will be contacted (by whom?) regarding continuing action on a town cleanup day. WPMEMO.SWAC13SEP91