02 2018 BWRC Minutes February 5 2018 docxBeverly Waste Reduction Committee
MINUTES: Monthly meeting, Monday, February 5, 2018
6:00 PM, Beverly City Hall, Conference Room B
CALL TO ORDER: 6:05 pm
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jim Bauer, Sandy Burgess, Nancy Dillon,
Rebecca Dupont - Coutu, Connie Krueger, Toni Musante, Charlie Perlo, Joyce Herman,
Susan Higgins
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Maureen Cronan
INVITED PARTICIPANTS: Lorinda Visnick (Beverly School Committee), Michael Cahill
(Mayor), Kevin Harutunian (Chief of Staff), Sharon Kishida (MA -DEP)
MINUTES & WELCOME
Motion to approve January minutes.
Motion approved by an 9 -0 unanimous vote.
A welcome was extended to members of the public who were attending, as well as City
Councilor Scott Houseman.
While waiting for Mike Cahill and Kevin Harutunian to join the meeting, Jim officially
returned the key to Water St. to Charlie, noting there are approximately 200 compost
bins still there. A short discussion then surrounded the fate of the building and the
relocation of the mural inside as Mike and Kevin joined the meeting.
EDUCATION /OUTREACH
Susan outlined and put forth to Mayor Cahill a proposal for a BHS Senior Internship
Program for traditional, supervised internships working on green and sustainability
initiatives in conjunction with the Mayor's Office or Engineering, and Independent Study
projects that require only guidance from members of City Hall or BWRC. Members of the
BWRC put the proposal together, with input from BHS assistant principal Mark Thomas,
School Committee member Lorinda Visnick, Councilwoman Julie Flowers, and
Change -is- Simple Co- Director Patrick Belmonte.
Reaction from Mike was positive, as he stated it was a good idea, but would require a
bit of work. Discussion surrounded the rapidly approaching February 16 deadline for this
year's program, and the unlikelihood a traditional internship could be in place by then,
given the timing and other priorities immediately facing City Hall in February. The details
of the Independent Study option were then outlined, how it works, and some of the
projects outlined in the proposal were discussed.
Susan requested feedback as to whether this proposal was acceptable or reasonable,
and that Mike and Kevin look through the proposal and, if not able to assist this year with
it, then to support it for next year. All feedback was good, and Mike believed that City
Hall could at the least sign off on it conceptually.
Kevin then inquired as to the genesis of the program and its goals — was it to provide
additional resources or provide more education? Jim commented that it was good civics
training and assisting in the dissemination of green and sustainable information. Linda
said the idea was engendered from the two students' internship with Salem Sound
Coastwatch which resulted in them presenting the Bring Your Own Bag initiative to the
City Council, and plus a compilation of ideas from many people for similar projects. It
was also stressed that the projects listed in the proposal were not the only projects for
student's consideration, but merely ideas. BHS students are encouraged to take the
initiative and submit their own proposals for their senior projects.
Jim expressed hope that this was a good opportunity for the BWRC, School
Committee, and City Hall to join efforts. Mike also felt it was a great opportunity, and
perhaps one project could be helping with the advocacy of the Bring Your Own Bag
ordinance.
CITY INITIATIVES, HOW BWRC CAN ASSIST, ISSUES WITH JRM ENFORCEMENT
CHANGES AND COMMUNICATION
Mike shared the City's current the goals for trash and recycling. They are currently
putting together materials and a timetable in preparation of announcing a change of
policy in barrel limits, along with increased information and education in recycling. Plans
are being made for 90- miunte presentations at the Senior Center and all wards, and
education will hopefully be simultaneous for the barrel policy, recycling, the Bring Your
Own Bag initiative, as well as green and sustainability discussions in general.
Educational ideas were discussed, including BevCam PSAs, having JRM mail fliers as
per their contract, a refrigerator magnet, and social media engagement. Kevin said they
learned a lot from watching Jim's efforts with the compost program.
Susan shared the discrepancies in recycling information she's found between the City
Weblink, the 2018 Holiday and Leaf Calendar, and JRM's recycling brochure. She then
outlined some the of complaints and questions people have been asking on Facebook
regarding JRMs refusal to take certain recycling items and about recycling in general.
Kevin noted that neither his office nor the Engineering department had received a single
phone call so they were unaware of complaints from residents. Discussion among the
group circled back to education, the need for a shift in culture, and enforcement. Kevin
said they have been talking with the Health Department about violations at certain
locations, and they are looking to use grant- matching monies to hire a marketing
consultant. He said City Hall will handle the nay- sayers and BWRC should continue in
its promotional and education efforts. It was decided the Committee, Mayor, and Kevin
should meet more often to keep communication going, with Joyce being the BWRC point
person.
The group then brainstormed some continuing outreach, including newsletters, and
having 3r party organizations assisting, such as Realtors, to inform new homeowners
about the City's trash and recycling. It was noted that "Green Communities" are
becoming very attractive to young renters /owners and we should promote the City's
efforts.
Discussion then surrounded JRM's contract, in that it allows the City to make changes
in their barrel limits, and the pros and cons of Single vs. Dual stream recycling, most
notably that it would cost the City $150,000 more to go Single stream and would cause
more contamination of recyclables. JRM has told us we have some of the cleanest
recycling; we are not looking to go single stream.
A brief discussion was then held about recycling in larger buildings and multi - family
homes that do not fall under the JRM contract. Kevin and Mike said there is discussion
about mandatory recycling for those units and perhaps an ordinance down the road.
Sharon suggested we go back to the basics, and the first is to start with JRM. There
needs to be clear and consistent information across all 14 communities. Discussion
revolved around how to contact them, who should contact them, and how does the
Committee get answers. Jim inquired for a name at JRM for Susan to contact so she
could establish a relationship. The BWRC just wants to know exactly what can /cannot be
recycled so we can disseminate correct information on our Facebook page, on other
social media platforms, and at events.
Lastly, Nancy reported that she talked with BevCam about possibly doing a video of the
JRM recycling facilities. BevCam does not have the time or staff to do location shoots.
Typically BevCam will train people on the equipment and let them shoot their own
projects. It was discussed as something for a potential student Study Project, and
Lorinda volunteered to assist with that effort.
ELECTRONICS EVENT
Charlie reported that the event is still going to be May 5. The pricing looks to be the
same with CRT Brockton as from past years. Discussion surrounded as to whether we
should stay with them.
Motion to remain with CRT Brockton for this event.
Motion approved by an 8 -0 unanimous vote. (Nancy absent for vote)
BHS football coach, Andrew Morency, reached out to Charlie to offer the teams'
assistance again. Discussion revolved around staying with the football team, and it was
decided it would be fine as long as Andrew was there to supervise.
Charlie will circulate the price list for comment.
On a personal note, Charlie announced he would not be seeking a reappointment after
his term expires this year, noting that his proudest accomplishment was carry in /carry
out at Lynch Park. He was thanked profusely for his efforts on everything from curbside
recycling, to zero waste at Senior Day, to the compost program.
MEETING WITH THE YMCA
Joyce and Connie met with Greater Beverly YMCA executive director Judith Cronin to
discuss recycling at the Beverly YMCA facilities. They got a promise from Judith to be
introduced to Tim Short, who manages all the North Shore YMCA races, to
waste - management at the Beverly YMCA events. They set up a meeting for February
20. Other possible executives mentioned to reach out to were Tim Flaherty, the
executive director of the Cape Ann YMCA, and Chris Lovasco, the YMCA CEO.
LIST OF BWRC CONCERNS /TOPICS
Connie distributed the Committee's list of Topics that we want to share with the City
Hall administration and City Council. This will be taken up as an agenda item at the next
BWRC meeting.
MOTION TO ADJOURN: 7:45 pm