EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP

EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP

RECYCLING COMMITTEE MINUTES

JUNE 12, 2007 - TUESDAY, 7:30 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

The June meeting of the East Amwell Township Recycling Committee was called to order officially at 7:34 PM by Chairperson, Will Harrison.

II. MINUTES

Minutes of the May 8, 2007 meeting were approved with no corrections/changes. There was one abstention. (M. DiDonato/M. Dessel)

III. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA – Snack Shack was requested by W. Harrison – to be discussed under Old Business. Additional Recycling Opportunities as requested by D. Wehmann/D. Tangtrakul – to be discussed under New Business.

IV. REPORTS

A. Youth Report – M. Ammann was absent. Thus, no report was received.

B. Depot Report – The May Depot Day Report was distributed to members by D. Tangtrakul. . 77 vehicles were serviced. The plastic/glass container was 1/3 full, as was the paper/cardboard one. No battery drum has yet been delivered. Bottles collected for TerraCycle amounted to two full large bags. D. Tangtrakul mentioned that fact that we are out of TerraCycle bags. M. DiDonato purchased a long handle dustpan/broom and a box of sanitary wipes. He turned in his receipt to T. Stahl for reimbursement.

C. Environmental Commission Report – A. Celebre was absent this evening. J. Corboy reported that the Environmental Commission will be sponsoring an ANJEC presentation at the June Meeting. The two topics to be discussed are: “Gorilla Marketing” and Sustainability for Small Communities. All boards and committees have been invited as well as Environmental Commission members from the surrounding communities. A brief meeting will begin at 7:00 PM and the ANJEC presentation will start at 7:30 PM

D. Township Committee Report – K. Machnik stated that the Township Committee is investigating the possibility of converting the Municipal Building to Solar Energy. They will be contacting different offices at the State to possibly arrange for guest speakers.

E. Internet Recycling Prices - K. Schroeder distributed her detailed graphs on Internet Prices to all. Plastic prices will be stable for the next few months. Scrap metal prices could increase this month if the prices from the auto industry are any indicator. This would be a turnaround from the $77 drop in the past two months. Demand and supply are in check for most paper products, keeping prices lower. As usual, glass prices remain steady. She also provided members with a graph comparing prices from June 2006 to June 2007. Paper and metal all experienced significant increases in June 2007.

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F. SWAC Report – W. Harrison reported that SWAC met on May 15, 2007 with a quorum present. There was a continued discussion of the new county recycling plan. (A full copy of the draft plan was sent to the Township on May 10, 2007.) In townships where private companies do the pick ups, enforcement will be more difficult. The deadline has been extended due to a Supreme Court ruling effectively reinstating the State’s right to exercise flow control over the waste stream. It is anticipated that the draft plan will be sent to the Freeholders in August and then brought before the Township Committee for ratification. Members went on to discuss the issue of enforcement at great length.

The next County Electronics and Propane Tank Collection Day will be on Saturday, June 16, 2007, and Hazardous Waste will be collected on July 14, 2007.

G. Other – none received.

V. OLD BUSINESS –

A. Contact Janitor – W. Harrison stated that he has still been unable to contact the janitor. His telephone number has been given to the actual person who cleans the Municipal Building by

the company’s main office. He also informed members that he will try to stop in at the Municipal Building once a month to check and organize the kitchen recyclables, and take them to the Recycling Shed.

B. Further Discussion of Electronic Recycling – J. Corboy informed members that B. Hummel sent another e-mail urging us to consider holding an Electronic Recycling during the Fall or early 2008. Actual e-mail was read to all. Members discussed. K. Machnik suggested that we hold one at the January 2008 Depot Day. D. Wehmann suggested that we invite a representative from the Supreme Recycling Company to speak at one of our meetings and explain to us how this process would work. He also suggested that we be sure to publicize it well. Members also discussed holding one in the Fall, but decided there would not be enough time to publicize the event. K. Machnik suggested posting it on the website and the VIP, besides our Newsletter. She also suggested that we provide information to all of our residents on how to eliminate data from the hard drive. M. DiDonato suggested that we post information on the bulletin board at the local post office. Motion was made to hold an Electronic Recycling Day at the January 2008 Depot Day by K. Schroeder. It was seconded by D. Wehmann and the vote was unanimously in favor. Snow date will be in February. Secretary will inform B. Hummel of our decision. W. Harrison will notify Supreme Electronics Recycling of our decision.

C. Snack Shack – W. Harrison stated that the recycling can at the Snack Shack is not working – container has been used for garbage as well. He suggested that we speak to the chair of the Recreation Committee and that we purchase a container for cans/bottles only, or try to make one. This topic will remain on the agenda until a solution is found.

VI. Invoices – no new invoices received.

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VII. CORRESPONDENCE

A. Flyer for the “2007 Preservation & Design Awards”

B. Memorandum from Environmental Commission, 6/8/07, re: ANJEC Presentation

C. Flyer for Electronics & Propane Tank Collection Day on 6/16/07

D. Memorandum from A. Johnson, 5/10/07, re: Amendment of the Hunterdon County Solid Waste Management Plan concerning Recycling (2 copies). W. Harrison suggested that one copy be given to K. Machnik, for her review and also that of the Township Committee. Members went on to discuss the element of enforcement. K. Machnik expressed her concerns about the feasibility and the eventual costs of enforcement, noting that both of these factors will fall upon the municipality to carry out. It seems as though a Sanitation Officer would have to be employed to see to it that the new rules of recycling are being obeyed. This would mean additional expense to the municipality.. K. Machnik will take her copy of the draft recycling plan to the Township Committee and inform them of her concerns. Members also wondered what are other townships, similar to ours, planning to do once this draft plan is approved. W. Harrison asked for any comments from K. Machnik and the Township Committee and also informed all of the next SWAC meeting, which will be on next Tuesday, June 19, at 7:30 PM. All are invited to attend.

E. Various Minutes and Agendas

G. Resource Recycling – May 2007

H. Flyer for Rutgers/New Jersey Recycling Certification Series – 2007 - 2008

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

1. Additional Recycling Opportunities – deferred until the next meeting.

IX. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – None present

X. OPEN TO THE COMMITTEE –

HIGHLIGHTS: 1. Major discussion of draft County Recycling Plan/Enforcement – potential of increased costs to Township.

XI. Adjournment – 9:25 PM (M. Dessel/K. Schroeder)

Respectfully submitted by

Joyce S. Corboy

Recycling Coordinator

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PRESENT: W. Harrison, K. Schroeder, M. Dessel, K. Machnik, D. Tangtrakul, M. DiDonato, D. Wehmann, J. Corboy, Coordinator

ABSENT: A. Celebre, M. Ammann, S. Helfrich

PLEASE NOTE: These minutes have been formally approved by the Recycling Committee at their July 10, 2007 meeting.

NEXT MEETING: JULY 10, 2007 - TUESDAY AT 7:30 PM

cc: Rec. Com. Members Board. of Health Twp. Committee & Clerk

Recreation Com. Planning Board Environ. Com.

Twp. Bulletin Board Zoning Brd. of Adjustment Hist. Preserv. Com.