BWRC Minutes Mar 4 2021 Beverly Waste Reduction Committee
Meeting Minutes—March 4, 2021
Beverly Waste Reduction Committee
MINUTES: Monthly Meeting, Thursday, March 4, 2021
6:30 PM, via Zoom
CALL TO ORDER: 6:33 pm
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Susan Higgins (Chair), Sandy Burgess, Nancy Dillon,
Joyce Herman, Toni Musante, Lisa Willwerth
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: John Swain (excused)
INVITED PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS: Erina Keefe, Kerin Cotter, Gail Garron Bernard,
Andrew Samperi, Mary Barthelmes, Amy Henderson (Mothers Out Front)
Housekeeping
Committee Chair Higgins opened the meeting, and reminded members about protocol for remotely
conducted meetings.
Minutes
February minutes were not available for review, and will be considered at the next meeting.
Action Plan for Promoting Composting
Higgins introduced Amy Henderson, a member of the local group Mothers Out Front(MOF). Amy
introduced the group and their mission. This is a link to the MOF general website:
https://www.mothersoutfront.orv,/and this is a link to the Facebook page for the local chapter:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1961723807459741/. Amy talked about several films that may
be of interest, including:
• Kiss the Ground (https:Hkissthegroundmovie.com)
• The Soil Story (4 minutes) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvAoZl4cP7Q)
• The Compost Story (6-7 minutes) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgDQD8cvO5Y)
As a whole, MOF is working to decrease fossil fuel usage. The Ipswich-based subgroup of the
Massachusetts chapter of MOF is more specifically working to promote carbon sequestration,
including but not limited to increasing composting and supporting community gardens and other
forms of local, regenerative agriculture. The Committee had a discussion with Amy about common
goals and the potential to collaborate on composting initiatives and outreach/education. Erina
Keefe noted efforts are underway by City volunteers to organize Earth Day events, which may be a
suitable opportunity for the Waste Reduction Committee and MOF to begin to collaborate. Erina
provided contact information for that group of volunteers. MOF hopes to organize some tabling
events to promote composting. The Waste Reduction Committee will consider opportunities to
assist with these efforts.
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Beverly Waste Reduction Committee
Meeting Minutes—March 4, 2021
Old Business and Miscellaneous Items
Andrew Samperi provided an overview of the DECA project Carbon Less Accomplish More, as
background and information for Amy Henderson.
Erina Keefe provided an update on Resilient Together, and requested input on the draft potential
actions for the Solid Waste plan element. As a group and under the guidance and direction of Erina,
we reviewed and prioritized the draft plan elements. Committee members were encouraged to
follow-up by participating in the survey, to provide specific comments on the Solid Waste plan
element as well as other parts of the plan that are of interest.
Upcoming Events
No discussion.
Other Updates and Discussion Items by Committee Members
None.
Adjournment
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
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