TOWN OF MANSFIELD

Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Minutes of the Meeting

November 10, 2005

Present:  Gogarten (chair), Knox, Hultgren (staff), Walton (staff)

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

The minutes of September 8, 2005 were reviewed and no corrections made.

Walton reported that the non-profit ReCONNstruction Center successfully opened on October 15. Over $2,000 worth of materials was sold on the first day. A ReCONN newsletter was available, which detailed the grand opening event. The Center is looking for Board members who have financial and marketing experience.

Hultgren reported that the increase in refuse rates (of approximately 5%), to go into effect January 1, 2006 for single-family trash collection and transfer station fees, was approved by Town Council. However, this increase will be offset by an unusually high 5% cost of living adjustment (COLA), which is made each September to the single-family trash collector. The COLA for the multi-family trash collector will be made in December.

Walton and Hultgren shared the first draft of the transfer station user analysis report. A few more specific tables on the data are being developed by staff in order to complete the report. The final recommendation of the report is to keep the current style pay-as-you-throw system and not change to prepaid bags.

As the Surplus Books for Charity trailer fills, books specifically brought in for this program are being taken apart by transfer station swap shop users. It was suggested that boxed up books be placed in an area other than the swap shop that will be subject to less disruption.

Walton reported on the success of the Festival on the Green. 72% of the waste from the day was composted or recycled. A total of 123 pounds of waste was produced – trash accounted for 35 pounds, cans and bottles accounted for 28 pounds and compost accounted for 60 pounds. Five cases of Hosmer Mountain Soda bottles were returned. Walton has ideas on how to further improve the program next year.

Walton announced that the developer for the Mansfield Downtown Partnership will be unveiling its first draft of the sustainability guidelines at the next Planning and Design Committee meeting on November 15, 2005 at 4:30 pm. Walton will be attending.

Walton brought to the committee’s attention that Willimantic Waste Paper is receiving loads of motor oil contaminated bottles and cans from communities that collect used motor oil curbside. Apparently the used motor oil is being placed in with bottles and cans (either by residents or the recycling collector). Mansfield will continue to accept motor oil from residential collection, but will publicize again the right way to set it out for recycling.

A resident asked Walton recently if the Town would supply paper bags for recycling. According to the resident, paper bags are difficult to get from certain stores – they use either only plastic or make choosing paper difficult. Residents from have made this request from time-to-time over the years. It was decided to not get into the business of brokering paper bags.

Walton said that within the town there is interest in creating a sustainability committee. Staff will keep the committee informed of its development.

Hultgren stated that he has received a few complaints from residents concerned about being told what to do at the swap shop. He asked committee members to keep an ear out for similar complaints.

Hultgren reported that the three modifications to the transfer station are almost complete – an area has been paved for refrigerants, a three-sided enclosure for the oil tank is complete and a refurbished truck body for storing tires is expected to arrive this month.

Gogarten passed along to staff an informational sheet that the City of Seattle uses for recycling. Walton will work on something comparable for Mansfield for the committee to review at a future meeting.

It was decided to schedule meetings for every other month in 2006. Staff will make arrangements for the following dates - January 12, March 9, May 11, July 13, September 14 and November 9.

The next meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2006. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm

Respectfully Submitted,

Virginia Walton

Recycling/Refuse Coordinator

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