August 21, 2008

Minutes Archive

Draft Minutes - Aug. 21, 2008

Town of Cape Elizabeth Recycling Committee
 Minutes of August 21, 2008 Meeting

Members Present: Rachel Stamieszkin, Greg Walsh, Mike Pulsifer, Jennifer Hansen, Sara Spidle
Members Absent: Gerry Davis
Guests: Pat Anderson

Rachel called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. at the Public Works Building.
On motion duly made and seconded it was voted: to accept the minutes of the August 23, 2008 meeting.
     The recycling rate for June was 22 ¼, July was 22 1/3. The rate is up approximately 6% from 2007. Overall trash disposal is less in the summer months.
     The new recycling rate sign is up at the transfer station.
     Library recycling bins: Jay Sherma has feedback from staff and citizens that they would like to be able to dispose of food waste in the trash can. The request to keep food out of the trash bin was originally drafted by the library advisors. It has been noted that people are not paying attention to the signage and are putting trash in the recycling container. The liners are too tight, therefore difficult to change, and rainwater is getting into the interior bags.  Rachel will talk to Bob Malley regarding this issue.
     The committee discussed the upcoming September 11th workshop with town council. Topics included the pros and cons of pay per bag and the changes to rules and regulations for transfer station drafted by the council. Members discussed whether or not pay per bag would save the town money with the additional staffing needed at recycling station and  questioned whether eco consciousness will remain a high priority for the town with pay per bag. The town council has focused changes for the transfer station on the commercial haulers and usage fees. The committee questioned from where this change originated, and if  there might be alternative ways to approach commercial hauling other than not allowing them disposal access in Cape Elizabeth. Possible approaches could be asking the council to focus on schools and municipal buildings as top priority for changes, and raising fees for commercial haulers.
     Jen cleaned and repainted the recycle bins from the Pond Cover cafeteria, and confirmed that a water fountain has been installed and that water bottles will not be sold this year.
     A silver bullet will be placed at the high school in September.
     Cell phones can be recycled at the transfer station and at public works. At this point they are being collected and are awaiting donation to an organization, unknown at this point. Chargers should be donated along with the used cellular phone.
     The silver bullets generally weight 1.6 tons at a cost of $79 per haul.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M.
The next meeting will be held on September 25th, 2008 at 7 P.M. at the Public Works Building. 

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