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SalemRecycles Committee
Meeting Minutes
August 6, 2013
Attended: Nancy Gilberg, Erin Huggard, Marcia Lambert, Eva Mossberg, Lynn Murray, Penny Neal, Julie Rose, Liz Vago, Susan Yochelson
Guests: Jim Markan, Beth Melillo, Flora Tonthat
7:00 p.m. meeting called to order by Chair Erin Huggard.
June 4th meeting minutes approved (no July meeting).
New Business
- September 21st Book Swap – Julie & Liz have brainstormed ideas with Abby Burns for our repurposed / upcycled exhibit at the swap. We’ll display a few simple items to create enthusiasm and gauge interest for future events. Salem resident Alexa Ogno has volunteered to contribute several upcycled items. We’ll use a corner of the front room for the exhibit, manned by a volunteer. We discussed holding a raffle of an item(s) and will ask Alexa if any of her objects are suitable for raffling.
We will continue our tradition of giving early-entry tickets, to be used Saturday, to those who drop books off Friday night. Setup on Friday will begin at 5:00 p.m. Julie will distribute the schedule for volunteer sign up, and will confirm that Matt Caruso will once again take all leftover books.
- October 3rd Haunted Happenings Parade – Last year, we got good visibility by carrying our banner. This year, we have the opportunity to learn a choreographed dance with SSU’s help, but people must commit to participating. The parade’s theme is “Books Come Alive!” Erin, Eva and Jim are interested; Marcia will join if the weather is good. Erin and Liz will head the sub-committee (although Liz will miss the event).
- “Trashed” movie – Julie viewed it, but didn’t find it to be engaging enough for a community event. “Trash Dance,” which aired at Salem Film Fest, contains a similar message and is appealing and fun. Julie will follow up with Karen Cady, who purchased a copy, about showing it.
- “Bag It” movie – We’ll try to schedule Bag It at Cinema Salem this fall. Nancy will inquire about dates and then we’ll invite Lori Erlich, John Keenan and Joan Lovely. Salem Sound Coastwatch and S.A.F.E. are interested in co-sponsoring. We will arrange for networking time before and after the movie, and will offer free coffee (the cinema can bill Julie); remind folks to bring a mug.
- Salempublicspaceproject.com – Beth Melillo presented an opportunity for SalemRecycles to partner with blogger Claudia Paraschiv at a community event in The Point this fall. Claudia, a Boston architect interested in people’s perception of space, wants to transform a vacant lot across from Mary Jane Lee Park by cleaning it, installing art with the community’s help, and then holding an event there in September. Details are TBD but possibly a BBQ and presentation. Already on board are the Beautification Committee and Lucy Corchado of The Point Neighborhood Association. Beth has suggested that SalemRecycles offer recycling education at the event to help with the Point’s trash problem.
Questions going forward: What is the date? What is expected of us? Will a translator be available? Beth will keep Julie updated with details to communicate to our group.
Old Business
- 2013 DEP Grant for home composters for collection
- Technical Assistance
- Communication
- Route selection
Julie has applied for 1500 16-gallon toters, but 500 might be better for a pilot program. She’s also applying for a technical assistance grant with Sharon Kishida. Intern Megan will have a resident Interest Survey ready this week. Because it is difficult to guarantee tonnage collected, Julie is working with John Pelletier to get the schools involved in order to increase tonnage. Julie is investigating if we can use some of the money to purchase larger toters for the schools (64 gallon is good; larger would be too heavy to lift). Salem has five trash routes, and we’ll probably pick one route based on interest, as city-wide would be impractical. If all goes well with grants and contracts, we can start the program as early as April or May, 2014. Julie will email us to see
who wants to help with logistics.
- GreenSalem.com and .org – With Meghan’s and Janis’ help, we’ve finally transitioned to WordPress. Jeff Elie has updated the transportation and energy pages. Everyone please review the site once more, and suggest photos to add or replace, so we can finally promote it, perhaps after Labor Day.
- Constant Contact newsletter – Eva hopes to have this ready by end of week. Dominick will review before we send it out.
- Mandatory Recycling Update – Jeff Cohen started on July 1 and was chosen from four applicants. We’re in the grace period, where fines cannot be given, and people seem receptive to his message. Jeff has determined baseline recycling percentages for three trash routes. He is using the revised doorhanger printed by Minit Print who offered great pricing. The Spanish translation has just gone to the printer. Our FAQ handout is also now in Spanish; DOs & DON’Ts will be soon as well. Jeff will be presenting to NIAC and should discuss recycling in general. He has also met with Salem Housing Authority and with several Condo Managers who can draw large audiences at association meetings.
- Monthly Update for Facebook – We are near 750 likes and will give away 3 foldable reusable grocery bags when we reach that number. We’ve been promoting the kickoff to Salem’s free monthly e-waste recycling and getting a great response. The page has a good balance of recycling events, news and fun repurposing ideas. Posts with the most views (due to shares) include the success of the e-waste event, and the photo of compressed Styrofoam to be recycled. Please continue liking and sharing to increase visibility.
Other Business
- General Committee Announcement –Park and Recreation’s deadline for their fall catalog is approaching. We’ll have two pages, will insert info from the new handout (Recycling Opportunities as of July 1), and will possibly add info on yard waste and Christmas tree pickup.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Next meeting is September 3rd.
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