FALMOUTH RECYCLING COMMITTEE
FALMOUTH PARKS & PUBLIC WORKS
MINUTES
Monday, November 10, 2008
5:00 PM
Roll Call Present and answering roll call: Sally Bitan, Kelly Fernald, John Henson, Bill McMahon, Satoria Pelton, Bonny Rodden
Item 1 Update on Recyclables Market
· Bonny updated us on the poor state of the market for recyclables.
· The market has fallen sharply since September (see separate note from Kevin Roche of ecoMaine). Some recyclables have no market at all and others are getting very small prices. ecoMaine is storing material while it can hoping that the market improves before space runs out.
· ecoMaine is considering contingencies
Item 2 ecoMaine Regional Collection
· Bonny updated us on ecoMaine’s plans to get a bid for regional collection of trash – this would include curbside trash, curbside recycling and silver bullets
· The initial group of towns is Falmouth, Windham, Cumberland, and Gorham
· The proposal will go to the ecoMaine Recycling Committee first and then the ecoMaine board for approval
· The intent of this effort is to reduce the hauling costs for towns – the yellow bags would still be used to cover the disposal fees for Falmouth’s trash
Item 3 Silver Bullet Surveys and Recommendation Discussion
· The Committee discussed the actions that should be taken with the results of the silver bullet surveys
· The Committee agreed that Falmouth residents rely on the silver bullets for to do their recycling
· It is clear that some residents from other towns rely on the Falmouth silver bullets as well
· Bonny suggested that the Committee make a proposal to the Town Council on how we can reduce the cost of collecting recyclables in Falmouth – presumably by reducing silver bullet usage
· A group will meet before the next Recycling Committee meeting to discuss the options and the real costs of each option. The options will be presented to the Recycling Committee with costs and benefits at the December meeting. (Bill and John expressed interest in meeting and we are hoping that Steve and Skip can also participate)
Item 4 Falmouth Green Expo Update
· The Falmouth Green Expo was well attended
· The recycling board and quiz were both of interest to attendees
· Most attendees already recycle and were very knowledgeable on the subject
· Members of Falmouth’s Green Ribbon Commission expressed an interest in meeting with the Committee to discuss waste topics. John Henson will contact Dee Vella and invite her to a Recycling Committee meeting.
Item 5 Agenda for December Recycling Committee meeting
· Review the options for reducing the costs of collecting recyclables put together by the sub-group
· Make a recommendation to be brought to the Town Council
· Plan for Town Council workshop presentation
· Plan for work with TD Banknorth
· Discuss other items for work plan.
Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Bill McMahon
Secretary, Falmouth Recycling Committee
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