TOWN OF MANSFIELD

Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Minutes of the Meeting

November 20, 2002

 

Present:  Gogarten (chair), Ames, Kueffner, Smith, Kobulnicky, Hultgren (staff), Walton (staff)

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:32 by Chair Gogarten.

 

The minutes of the September 12, 2002 meeting were approved.

 

Walton reported that she had made a presentation about the current Mansfield Collection system to CCM on October 23, 2002.  She also informed members of the presentations at the NERC Fall meeting on Federal sustainability systems, the Federal bottle bill, product stewardship for electronics manufacturers, plastic lumber, changing recycling behavior and green-building concepts.  She said she was trying to get the green-building architectural information to the Downtown Partnership.

 

Staff reported that the fee and ordinance changes (bulky waste and collection) were enacted by the Town Council.

 

Walton reported that the sign advertising open adopt-a-road segments had been put in several places but had not generated any calls.

 

Walton reported on her research into ink jet cartridge recycling and grocery bag recycling.   She also said she visited some of the apartments that had received welcome bags earlier this fall and the amount of recycling taking place was minimal.

 

Staff explained the status of the progress in planning for a pre-paid bag system.  Walton had collected data on how base fees were collected in several New England towns.  A rough draft of a Power Point presentation was discussed.  Staff will work on this for the January meeting.

 

Hultgren said that the bulky waste transfer operation had begun and the town signed a consent order with DEP to allow operations while the permit was under review.

 

Walton reported that Goodwin School received the Green School award from CRC on this year’s America Recycles Day. 

 

Hultgren said they were almost done reviewing changes to the solid waste ordinance dealing with enforcement – particularly in dealing with properties who just let the garbage sit out by the curb.  The proposal will be ready for the next meeting.

 

Walton reported that the composter at Southeast was down and is waiting for repairs.  She also said she had put recycling containers in the parks

 

 

Ames said that the Keeper Corporation was no longer taking Styrofoam peanuts.  Walton will work with her to find other outlets.

 

The next meeting was set for January 9, 2003.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Lon R. Hultgren

Director of Public Works

 

 

cc:   Town Manager, Town Clerk, Director of Finance, Virginia Walton, Steve Bowen, Dan Austin, file