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Greenfield Recycling Committee (GRECOM)
Meeting Minutes
April 5, 2012
Attending: N.Brown,/D. Boilard/C. Fowler, C. Burgess,/J. Eber/J. Mathias
Absent: D. Wolaver, M. Steere, Patricia LaPree
Summary of the recent discussion of GRECOM’s next “mission” with the Select Board (Neal)
The new Selectboard wants to ensure that Greenfield continues to recycle. The Board
charged us to revamp the Mandatory Recycling Ordinance passed in 1993 with the goal of significantly reducing the flow of trash and increasing recycling.
We had a preliminary discussion of details relevant to the recycling process – clear vs non-transparent bags, right to check bag contents, the possibility of free bags, “enforcement” etc., etc
ACTION: Diane will confer with Carol and produce the a draft of the new ordinance for discussion at its May 3 meeting
Recycling Center Income; We discussed the possibility that money earned by the recycling center be put in a special fund/account to be used exclusively for the benefit of the recycling center, for example equipment upgrades renovations, etc. The GRECOM supported developing such a system. To enact it a warrant would likely have to be drafted and put on the town meeting ballot. For the record, Diane provided the historical perspective of recycling revenues, which she provided at Town Meeting. It is summarized in the following table:
Year |
Revenue Generated by Recycling |
Hauling Fees Saved (poundage of recyclables kept out of the dumpster x the haul away fee per pound) |
1999 |
$3,006 |
$17,424 |
2000 |
$2,625 |
$8,910 |
2001 |
$2,557 |
$12,881 |
2002 |
$4,511 |
$14,102 |
2003 |
$6,766 |
$15,191 |
2004 |
$7,382 |
$13,387 |
2005 |
$10,867 |
$14,318 |
2006 |
$12,759 |
$16,135 |
2007 |
$14,838 |
$10,638 |
2008 |
$19,285 |
$18,205 |
2009 |
$9,994 |
$21,586 |
2010 |
$13,619 |
$12,535 |
2011 |
$22,206 |
$12,343 |
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Total |
$124,784 |
$161,319 in fees we haven’t paid over time! |
Recycling Center traffic flow: We also discussed whether or not the direction should be changed. We concluded that the traffic flow should not be changed at this time. The current traffic flow allows the Supervisor to directly inspect (and inform) everyone coming into the Recycling Center who also want to dump items in the brush or metal pile. Traffic entering the other way would be able to dump directly, out of view to the Supervisor.
Minutes of 3.8.12 meeting with BOS (Neal)
Minutes were approved by members in attendance.
ACTION: Neal will send them to Aaron for posting on the Town website.
Carol’s “Corner” (i.e., brief updates on any current RC affairs/concerns (Carol)
VOLUNTEERS: Carol asked about the possibility of recruiting volunteer(s) to assist her on days when she may need extra support - For example, Saturdays, vacations, or days when assistants are out sick. If so, she would email committee members to ask for assistance.
The committee also discussed the possibility of seeking the BOS’ OK to hire a dependable “sub”. It makes sense that Carol have someone who can come in, work the equipment, and run the center should she be on vacation or sick. The committee assured Carol that the GECOM membership will be here if she needs volunteers before the sub issue is resolved.
MEASURING OUTPUT OF RECYCLABLES: We discussed the need for having a scale to weigh the poundage of the bales picked up and hauled away to ensure that we are getting paid for what we send out. No action was recommended.
Respectfully submitted by Candi Fowler, GRECOM secretary.
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