TOWN OF MANSFIELD

Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Minutes of the Meeting

January 12, 2006

Present:  Gogarten (chair), Ames, Roberts, Hultgren (staff), Walton (staff)

Chair Gogarten called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

Approval of the minutes of November 10, 2005 was postponed to the next meeting and will be included in the next agenda packet.

Walton reported that the Connecticut Recyclers Coalition had its annual meeting in November. One of the guest speakers, from RecycleBank, spoke on their program that has been used in Philadelphia since February 2005. Each time Philadelphia residents place recyclables by the curb, they are weighed and assigned points based on the weight. The accumulation of points earns discounts at area stores. Stores voluntarily participate by offering discounts. As a result of RecycleBank, recycling participation has risen sharply.

Walton stated that a clean energy task force is actively working on getting more Mansfield residents to sign-up for the clean energy option in order to earn solar panels for one of the Mansfield municipal buildings.

No update was given on the transfer station use study since the additional reports were not yet finally completed.

Walton reported that she is now co-president of the ReCONNstruction Center. Center’s operating costs are about $7,000 per month, of which a small fraction is being covered by sales. At this current rate, there is four months of savings left before the store has to close. Gogarten suggested advertising on google using keywords like “cheap building materials.” It was recommended that the entire inventory be listed on the website. Another suggestion was made to send posters to all the transfer stations around the State.

Walton reported that she attended a UConn Community Outreach meeting. Through this program, Walton has arranged litter collection on four community service days. A UConn team leader will coordinate the group that collect litter along Hunting Lodge, North Eagleville and Separatist Roads on March 18, March 25, April 1 and April 22. April 22 is also spring weekend so this day may not be well attended or happen at all. Walton stated that she would also post a “call to action” through UConn Community Outreach for volunteers to help at the swap shop.

The committee reviewed swap shop guidelines and made recommendations. Once finalized, this will be posted on the new message board at the transfer station, outside of the swap shop.

Walton checked into creating a recycling flyer similar to the City of Seattle’s. According to the I.T. staff, the Town would need much more sophisticated publishing software to give the flyer a professional look. Walton has been in contact with the person at Seattle who said she might have some of the original graphics, which she is willing to share. Walton will continue to explore the best way to create a similar flyer.

The committee reviewed the draft State Solid Waste Management Plan. The draft supports product stewardship, expansion of the bottle bill and using the unclaimed deposit money to fund programs. Advancing Pay-As-You-Throw programs, increasing enforcement, adding more materials to the recycling mandate, streamlining the DEP permit process for waste reduction and recycling activities and developing construction & demolition debris recycling infrastructure are some of the strategies for reducing waste that are outlined in the plan.

Willimantic Waste Paper has offered to work with the Mid-NEROC communities in expanding the recycling programs. Walton will contact Tim DeVivo to discuss adding plastic grocery bags and other plastics to curbside collection.

Walton discussed the idea of holding a one-day paint swap at the transfer station, preferably in the spring. In speaking to officials at DEP, the Town could get a temporary authorization but the Town would need to have a plan for dealing with leftover paint. The committee discussed creative ways to use the leftovers. Ames suggested asking the Middle School art group to paint areas at the transfer station. Walton will continue to develop this idea.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 9, 2006. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Virginia Walton

Recycling/Refuse Coordinator

Cc: Lon R. Hultgren, Director of Public Works, Members, file, Town Manager, Town Clerk