TOWN OF MANSFIELD

Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Minutes of the Meeting

March 24, 2005

 

 

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

 

The meeting was called to order by Chair Gogarten at 7:30 p.m.

 

The minutes of December 9, 2004 were reviewed and no corrections made.

 

Walton reported that she is now attending the non-profit ReCONNstruction Center meetings in order to help get Connecticut's first building reuse store open and operating. The Center's board of directors is seeking start-up funding to buy equipment and hire staff. Its greatest need is finding warehouse space to operate a store. At present, building materials and fixtures are being sold by appointment out of a storage space in New Britain. Walton distributed the ReCONNstruction Center's brochures. It was recommended that we publicize the ReCONNstruction Center in the newspaper and pass the brochures on to the Town building department. Walton stated that she would also add the information to the website.

 

Walton gave a state legislative update on three bills of particular interest. The environment committee is considering an expanded bottle bill that includes water bottles. A bill requiring new and renovated buildings that use state funds to be certified with the LEED silver rating is working its way through the legislative process. The Mansfield Solid Waste Advisory Committee submitted testimony on the bottle bill and LEED bill. It doesn't seem likely that an advanced disposal fee electronics bill will move out of the environment committee this year. The northeast region of state governments is working on a model electronics law, which is expected to be ready for use next year.

 

The committee reviewed the transfer station user reports with data from August 2004 to March 2005. From Report A (frequency of use)- the majority of residents use the transfer station infrequently (monthly to quarterly). About 38% of the users have single-family trash collection service. From Report B (materials delivered) - most deliveries of trash are accompanied with a delivery of recyclables. After trash and recyclables, bulky waste is the most frequently delivered item. From Report C (quantity of refuse) - most residents bring in 2 to 4 bags of trash with each visit, followed by one bag of trash per visit. From Report D (quantity of bulky waste) - most residents do not exceed 1 cubic yard of bulky waste per visit. Half of these residents have trash collection service.

 

Walton stated that the proposed litter ordinance has been edited a few times and will be reviewed again at an upcoming Town Council meeting.

 

The non-profit organization, Hands Across the Water, Inc., is seeking locations to place shipping containers for used books. They accept all books, except directories or phone books, which are shipped to countries seeking written material. Walton said that they would like to place a container at the transfer station. The committee approved the idea suggesting that if the books are not taken from the swap shop, they should be donated to Hands Across the Water, Inc. It was recommended that the Friends of the Library, UConn Coop, and UConn professors be notified when this program begins.

 

After discussion, the date for Rid Litter Day was set for the weekend following UConn's spring weekend, Saturday, April 30, 2005.

 

Walton reported that the Festival on the Green is scheduled for Sunday, September 25 from 12-4, rain or shine. She will be heading up the trash/recycling/composting effort and would like to improve last year's effort as a low waste event. She is looking for volunteers who will be in charge of either set-up, clean-up, a recycling display with activity, or working with the volunteers on the day of the event. Gogarten and Ames volunteered to help with one of these activities. Walton will meet with the volunteers before the day of the event.

 

The draft municipal development plan for the Storrs downtown center development is being reviewed by the planning and zoning commission. To continue its advocacy for a town center that has resource, water or energy conservation built into its design, a letter from the Committee will be sent to the planning and zoning commission.

 

Walton reported on her activities at the schools including some upcoming classes on non-toxic cleaning and recycling. The Connecticut Recyclers Coalition will be offering sneaker recycling again this year. Walton anticipates that most of Mansfield's schools will participate along with the transfer station.  

 

The next meeting was not scheduled, but will probably be in May.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Virginia Walton

Recycling/Refuse Coordinator

 

 

 

       

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