BWRC Approved Minutes Jan 2 2020Beverly Waste Reduction Committee
Meeting Minutes — January 2, 2020
Beverly Waste Reduction Committee
MINUTES: Monthly Meeting, Thursday, January 2, 2020
6:30 PM, Beverly City Hall, Conference Room A
CALL TO ORDER: 6:32 pm
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Higgins (Chair), Sandy Burgess, Nancy Dillon, Toni
Musante, Joyce Hermon
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: John Swain
INVITED PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS: Mayor Cahill, Andrew Samperi, Mary Barthelmes,
Bruce Swanson, Lisa Willwerth, Karen Thaw, Ben Hacker
Minutes
The minutes for the December 2019 meeting were presented for approval. Dillon moved to approve
the minutes and Burgess seconded the motion. The motion carried (4 -0, Hermon arriving after the
vote).
Treasurer's Report
Burgess reported that the current account balance is $24,820.54; no change since last month.
Committee Administrative Business
Higgins updated the Committee about her meeting with City Clerk Wes Slate regarding the need for
a recording secretary to serve the Committee. The City Clerk advised that we should have a City
staff member formally assigned to the Committee to post meetings and provide other administrative
assistance for conducting business as a City committee. He also advised that we should have a
recording secretary, which could be the same staff person or a different person. Both the City
Clerk's office and the Planning Department have access to outside resources for purpose of
recording minutes, and could be a pathway to providing these services if a City staff person is
unable to do this. The City Clerk advised that we submit a request to the Mayor's office.
Municipal ordinances require the Waste Reduction Committee to meet in January of each year to
elect a Chairperson to preside at the meetings of the Committee; other officers can be elected as
deemed necessary. Dillon moved to elect Susan Higgins as Chair and Sandy Burgess as Treasurer.
Musante seconded the motion. The motion carried (5 -0).
Educational Forum
The Committee discussed the need for an educational forum on waste management. We are
awaiting input from the Mayor's office on timing, content, and logistics. In the interim, the
Committee reviewed resources needed to support and enhance educational outreach.
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Meeting Minutes — January 2, 2020
Karen Thaw provided information on an educational forum she conducted at Turtle Creek/Turtle
Woods, and shared story boards she prepared highlighting environmental concerns with improper
waste management and presenting how -to information for proper recycling. The Committee talked
about tabulating Beverly- specific data, developing similar story boards, preparing concise
information for posting on social media, and preparing flyers and other educational materials. There
was some discussion about social media and the benefits and challenges of using this platform.
The Committee discussed the need to further develop the Waste Reduction Committee's webpage,
which is located on the City's website, and had some discussion about content on the City's
waste /recycling page. It was noted that an updated FAQ document would be helpful to provide
answers to common questions currently asked by the public. Hermon agreed to meet with Kerin
Cotter to talk about some changes and new content.
The Committee discussed purchasing decals for containers (e.g., paper, bottles /cans, yard waste,
etc.) and other practical give -aways that could be used at events and meetings. Dillon and Burgess
agreed to look into options.
The Committee discussed the need for a logo for the Waste Reduction Committee. Andrew
Samperi agreed to develop a few options for our consideration.
The Committee briefly discussed the City's current contract with JRM, which includes provisions
requiring JRM to provide certain assistance with promotional and educational efforts. The
Committee is interested in reviewing the contract and providing input to the City regarding
recommended changes upon renewal or re- procurement of services.
Update from Mayor Cahill
Mayor Cahill joined the meeting at approximately 7:30 PM. The Mayor informed the Committee
that he met with Councilor Rand and they are both interested in moving forward with a polystyrene
ordinance. They plan to initiate a dialogue with the business community (restaurants) to consider
issues and to brainstorm strategies for easing transition. The goal is to work on this over the first
few months of the year and bring something to City Council in the near term. Subsequently, the
City will begin to look at an all- hauler recycling requirement. This will require additional research
into options on how it could be structured (e.g., regulation or ordinance) and how it would be
enforced.
Old Business
The Committee discussed RDP grant funds recently received by the City. Last year, the Committee
recommended the City hire an outreach and enforcement coordinator. Since then, there has been a
lack of enforcement for proper recycling and for the two - barrel limit. The Committee expressed the
continued need for efforts in outreach, education, and enforcement as well as use of the funds to
support other efforts such as additional Styrofoam collection events and zero waste events.
Mayor Cahill advised that we should continue to discuss options for beneficially using RDP grant
funding. He commented on the possibility of using some of the grant funding to facilitate small
business efforts to eliminate polystyrene and to implement composting. Councilor Rand has
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Meeting Minutes — January 2, 2020
initiated a discussion with the Mayor's office about the possibility setting up some type of grant
funding for these purposes.
Mayor Cahill requested input from Andrew Samperi regarding composting in the schools and
related efforts with the DECA project "Carbon Less Accomplish More." Andrew advised that
Principal Taylor has provided contacts at the other schools, primarily STEM teachers, but they
haven't initiated these conversations yet. To date, efforts have primarily focused on the high
school. Mayor Cahill suggested they meet, together with the food service director and the
Superintendent, to productively look at additional options for collaborating. Andrew also advised
that he and Sydney will be seniors next year, and plan to add a junior to their team to continue their
efforts after they graduate. Their partnership with the Accomplish program will also be helpful to
continue efforts into future years. Andrew provided additional brief updates on their DECA project,
including their presentation to the School Committee, meeting with the YMCA, and upcoming
competition at Endicott College.
The Committee had a brief discussion with the Mayor about the curbside composting program,
including interest in scaling up the program to City -wide. The Mayor expressed interest in not only
scaling up to meet the needs of the City, but developing a workable approach that could be
replicated by others. There was a good discussion about potential challenges and the need for
additional information.
Upcoming Events
There was a brief discussion about the upcoming open - classroom event, "Climate Change: A
Course for Everyone ". The event is hosted by Northeastern University and will be livestreamed. It
runs every Wednesday from January 8 through April 8, 6:00 — 8:00 PM.
Other Updates and Discussion Items by Committee Members
No discussion.
Adjournment
There being no further discussion this evening, the meeting was adjourned at 8:03 pm.
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