TOWN OF MANSFIELD

Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Minutes of the Meeting

December 9, 2004

 

 

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

 

The meeting was called to order by Chair Gogarten at 7:35 p.m.

 

The minutes of October 14, 2004 were reviewed and no corrections made.

 

Gogarten reported that the well-attended November 3, 2004 LEED workshop was very instructive on what constitutes "green" design. Walton stated that she attended UConn's Environmental Policy Advisory Council meeting November 11, 2004 to hear guest speaker Gioia Thompson, Environmental Coordinator of the University of Vermont, talk about what UVM is doing to be a sustainable school. Walton was interested in how the city of Burlington and the University work together. Apparently, they don't.  Walton attended a tour of the Dept of Corrections composting facility in Enfield. Like the Mansfield elementary schools, all food waste is collected for composting. The food is ground and mixed with wood chips before placing in a windrow. They mix two or three loads of wood chips to every 55 gallon barrel of food waste. Walton was impressed with the lack of odor, due to the large volume of wood chips and small food particles. Walton shared a letter from former committee member, Don Squires who now resides in Tasmania, regarding Tasmania's recycling program.

 

Hultgren reported that the landfill is closed and the surface has been seeded with grass. It is anticipated that the survey of the completed landform will be done in-house within the next few weeks.

 

Hultgren reported that he calculated conservatively the Town savings with the use of the two trash compactors will be about $3,600 for the year.

 

Walton stated that the Town Council did adopt the resolution to use LEED standards as a guideline for major Town building projects, unless it can be demonstrated that it is not cost effective over the life of the building. With the next major municipal building project, this policy will be implemented.

 

The committee reviewed three sample transfer station use reports. The first report showed frequency of use (daily, once a week, every two weeks, monthly, quarterly) from August to mid November. About half of the quarterly users are residents with single-family service. The second report showed the quantity of refuse brought in each visit (shown in dollars). The overwhelming majority spent between $3 (one bag of trash) to $12 (4 bags of trash) per visit. The third report showed the quantity of bulky waste brought in each visit. The report showed that the vast majority spent between $5 to $20 for bulky waste. However, this data is approximate as there were some missing pieces. Multiple stickers from one household still need to be combined. The staff at the transfer station are improving their record keeping to reduce the number of transactions without a sticker number. At the next meeting these issues should be worked out plus there will be more reports to analyze.

 

Hultgtren and Walton reported that a draft litter ordinance will be presented to the Town Council at their December 13, 2004 meeting. Although the solid waste regulations do allow for litter enforcement, it is limited. The proposed litter ordinance holds landowners responsible, not just the generator of the litter. Litter enforcement extends to private properties, which can be liened for non-payment of fines.

 

Walton reported that the parks recycling containers continue to work well in the two areas where they are being piloted - at the Lions Club field and Southeast ball field. Public Works is refining the design and will have at least 12 more containers to place out in the spring.

 

The next meeting will be held in January or February when the rest of the reports are finished.

 

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