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BWRC Minutes December 6 2018Beverly Waste Reduction Committee Meeting Minutes — December 6, 2018 Beverly Waste Reduction Committee MINUTES: Monthly Meeting, Thursday, December 6, 2018 6:00 PM. Beverlv Citv Hall. Conference Room A CALL TO ORDER: 6:02 pm COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair - Susan Higgins, Sandy Burgess, Nancy Dillon, Joyce Herman, Toni Musante COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Rebecca Dupont -Coutu INVITED PARTICIPANTS AND GUESTS: John Swain APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the November 2018 meeting were presented for approval. Dillon moved to approve the minutes. Herman seconded the motion. The motion carried (5 -0). Treasurer's Report Burgess reported that the account balance is $23,778.88. Payment of $4,969 in approved funds has been made from the account for the purchase of reusable bags. Burgess and Higgins provided an update on the Committee's request to change the name on our account from Beverly Recycles to the Waste Reduction Committee. The City Accountant has advised that unless there is a legal reason to change the name, it would be better to keep the name as it is for City records. Meeting Schedule for 2019 The meeting schedule for 2019 (attached to agenda) has been confirmed and filed with the City Clerk, including the assignment of "Conference Room A" for all meeting dates. The Committee continued previous discussions about the interest in addressing public event recycling and pursuing a mandatory recycling ordinance in 2019. These topics require dedicated time at a future meeting to provide adequate opportunity for discussion. In discussing priorities for 2019, Herman requested that we work on getting an enforcement officer for the City funded with the RDP grant money. Musante commented that the presence of an enforcement officer would facilitate our efforts to pursue new initiatives. Higgins advised the Committee that the City's Engineering Department does not have enforcement authority; the Board of Health has enforcement authority and would need to be involved in any solid waste programs that require enforcement. Initiatives we pursue moving forward that include enforcement provisions should be discussed and coordinated with the Health Department. Herman moved that we send a letter to the Mayor's Office (copied to others in the City) providing a recommendation that the RDP grant funds be used to hire an enforcement officer to enforce provisions of the waste and recycling program, conduct educational outreach, and assist Page 1 of 3 Beverly Waste Reduction Committee Meeting Minutes — December 6, 2018 with putting new programs in place. Dillon seconded the motion. The motion carried (5 -0). Higgins agreed to draft a letter for review by the Committee. Bring Your Own Bag Implementation Members of the Waste Reduction Committee attended the City's community meeting on November 29' at the Senior Center to discuss the plastic bag ordinance. The meeting was not well attended, which could be due to a variety of issues (not a concern to the public, business community already educated, not well advertised, busy time of year). The City anticipates that implementation of the ordinance will not be problematic. The Committee has no action items for implementation of the ordinance. Higgins requested that we remain observant and re- assess the need for actionable items after the ordinance takes effect on January 1, 2019. Higgins reported that on December 16 there will be a no -sew bag workshop at the Temple B'nai Abraham from noon until 2:00 pm. The workshop teaches how to make a reusable bag. Swain asked how the reusable bags funded by our Committee will be distributed. Higgins reported that the City will be responsible for distributing the bags. Herman clarified that the City intends to distribute the bags to seniors and low- income residents that may have difficulty obtaining reusable bags. Bags will be available to others upon request, while they last. Dillon and Herman reported that several locations (Tendercrop Farm, Stop and Shop, Trader Joe's) have compostable produce bags. Musante commented that we could use this information to encourage other local stores to do the same. Spring 2019 Electronics Collection Higgins reported that the date and location of the annual electronics collection event have both been secured (May 4, 2019; back roadway at Beverly High School). Data Recycling of New England will be the vendor, subject to confirmation of their pricing and future approval by the Committee. This is the company that has conducted the event for many years. Pricing for 2019 is expected to be available in January. Musante suggested we change the name from "Recycling Extravaganza" to "Electronics Recycling" for purpose of advertising the event. Burgess suggested we consider expanding the event to include other materials such as textiles, books, rigid plastics, and Styrofoam. We will need to look into what materials can be accepted. Swain suggested we secure an organization to help us with the event. The Committee agreed to reconsider the event name, materials accepted, and partnering organization before finalizing the flyer and advertising the event. Curbside Composting Program Higgins reported that she is continuing to distribute bins to new participants on a pick -up basis, with Black Earth sending automated email notices for each signup. This approach is being used on a temporary basis but is working fine at this time. Since November 1st, when the Committee assumed responsibility for distributing the bins, there have been eighteen (18) new signups. Page 2 of 3 Beverly Waste Reduction Committee Meeting Minutes — December 6, 2018 Hermon reported that we do not have information on drop -outs, so we cannot independently track the number of participating households; we still need to request this information from Black Earth. Black Earth recently announced that they will collect yard waste (no grass) from those that want this additional service. Participants that are interested purchase a sticker from Black Earth, put the sticker on a paper yard waste bag, and set it out with their weekly composting bin. Dillon asked about pricing, specifically if we negotiate rates with Black Earth, and what future pricing is expected to be. Herman explained that the reason we are distributing the bins is to relieve their administrative burden and keep pricing low. Higgins reported that all new participants in Beverly currently pay either $6.99 per month or $79.99 per year. It is unclear what rate is charged for renewals, or if renewals can be for other time periods (e.g., six months). Committee members recall being charged (recently) a renewal price of $35.00 for a six -month period ($70 per year). Higgins suggested that we meet with Black Earth to clarify pricing. There was a discussion about yard waste collection and composting by JRM. Yard waste was collected late on multiple occasions. Higgins reported that the City is aware of this problem. Musante commented that this should be considered when the City is renewing the contract. Other Business and Updates Higgins reported that she met with two high school students that were interested in learning about polystyrene recycling and potential bans. This was part of a class activity. The students also met with Councilor Rand. Herman is scheduled to meet with Meagan Riche, a Community Engagement Fellow at the Council on Aging. As part of her fellowship, Ms. Riche plans to host a workshop for seniors about environmental issues and volunteer opportunities. The Committee will invite Ms. Riche to a future meeting to learn more about her work and determine how we can help. Higgins reported that Standley Street is scheduled to close for the season on December 15, 2018. Higgins reported that she talked with Mayor Cahill about Committee appointments. The Mayor stated that he recently reviewed the list of committees and potential appointments and is in the process of scheduling meetings with candidates. Swain will follow -up with the Mayor's Office regarding his interest in the Waste Reduction Committee. Higgins reported that Kerin Cotter is meeting with Sharon Kishida in early January to discuss the RDP grant program and activities that may increase the City's opportunity for grant funding next year. Higgins will also attend the meeting and will report back to the Committee. Adjournment There being no further discussion this evening, the meeting was adjourned at 7:10 pm. Page 3 of 3