EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP

RECYCLING COMMITTEE MINUTES

JULY 10, 2007 - TUESDAY, 7:30 P.M.

 

 

I.  CALL TO ORDER

The July meeting of the East Amwell Township Recycling Committee was called to order officially at 7:42 PM by Chairperson, Will Harrison.   

 

II. MINUTES

Minutes of the June 12, 2007 meeting were approved with no corrections/changes.  There was one abstention.                                                                              (D.Tangtrakul/M. DiDonato)

 

III. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA – Snack Shack Recycling  and Hunterdon County Draft Recycling Plan were requested by W. Harrison – to be discussed under Old Business. 

 

IV.  REPORTS

A.  Youth Report – M. Ammann stated that he had nothing new to report.  He did mention the fact  that this will be his last year at East Amwell School.  He suggested during this coming year he begin to recruit a new youth member.  Members agreed         

 

W. Harrison informed members that a Youth Report could also be received from our other youth member, Scott Helfrich, who unfortunately was absent this evening.

  

B.  Depot Report – The July Depot Day Report was distributed to members by W. Harrison. 

Approximately 78 vehicles were serviced.  The plastic/glass container was a little less than ˝ full, and the paper/cardboard one was ˝ full.  No battery drum has yet been delivered.  Bottles collected for TerraCycle amounted to 1 ˝ large bags. W. Harrison stated that he had a very difficult time recruiting volunteers.  Battery drum was delivered today.        

 

C.  Environmental Commission Report  –  A. Celebre was absent from the last Environmental Commission meeting, so she was unable to report.  J. Corboy reported that the Environmental Commission’s ANJEC presentation was very well received.  Two topics were discussed : “Gorilla Marketing” and Sustainability for Small Communities.   “Gorilla Marketing” was an excellent program on how to promote/market your environmental group and its activities, using the newspapers, etc.  Their ideas could work just as well for the Recycling Committee.          

 

D.  Township Committee Report – K. Machnik was absent this evening.  Thus, no report was received. 

 

E.  Internet Recycling Prices - K. Schroeder was absent this evening.  Thus, no report was received.

 

 

 

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  1. SWAC Report – W. Harrison reported that SWAC met on June 19, 2007 with a quorum present.  There was a continued discussion of the new county recycling plan.  SWAC decided to ask for a four-month extension of the deadline to submit the Solid Waste Management Plan Amendment to the Freeholders.  Our Township Committee has requested that the Recycling Committee review the draft document thoroughly and make recommendations to them regarding East Amwell’s position on the amendment.  Copies were distributed to all present at the meeting and will be mailed to those not present this evening, requesting their comments be forwarded to W. Harrison.

 

Hazardous Waste Day will be on July 14, 2007 at the County Complex on Route 12.   

 

G.  Other – none received.

 

V.  OLD BUSINESS –     

      A.  Contact Janitor – W. Harrison stated that he is still trying to contact the janitor.      

     

      B.   Snack Shack Recycling – W. Harrison stated that he spoke with the chairman (B. Richardson) of the Little League Program and they both agreed that the Snack Shack gets the most use during the Tournament Season.  Now that the season is over, there is much less use of the Snack Shack.  It was agreed that it would  probably help a great deal if we purchased a recognizable container for the recycling of cans and bottles.  W. Harrison suggested that we consider purchasing a special bottle container in time for next Spring.

      

      C.    Hunterdon County Draft Recycling Plan – W. Harrison briefly explained to the members what is expected of them.  He stated that we need to know how does this plan impact us as a municipality, and that our primary concern should be with Section 5 – Municipal Responsibilities.  He also explained that the Township Committee has asked us to thoroughly review this document and make suggestions to them.  If we fail as a municipality to increase our recycling numbers, the County then has the right to conduct enforcement.  Exactly what type of enforcement has not been fully explained.  

 

Members discussed thoroughly and could not come up with any suggestions.  As regular garbage is collected in our Township, there would be no way to determine if it contained recyclables, unless it was dumped at each dwelling.  J. Corboy pointed out that our normal recycling does not fluctuate that much each year.  They only time we had a huge increase in numbers was when there was construction or a major clean-up.  She also pointed out that we remind our residents twice a year about what is recyclable and what is not in our bi-annual newsletter.  We hold both a Clean-Up Day and Roadside Clean-Up.  The only other suggestion made was that we might want to consider putting an insert into the yearly tax bill.

 

 

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It was mentioned that our construction official would seem to be the only person who could enforce the ordinance and a penalty schedule for violations of the ordinance, especially at all projects requiring a building permit and/or a construction site.

 

W. Harrison stated that he hoped that all of this would, at least, raise the awareness of all to the importance of recycling.  He requested that all members review this document closely and send their comments to him.  He reminded members that we cannot just remove a line or section, but we must come up with a viable alternative.     

 

W. Harrison informed all members that the next SWAC meeting will be on July 17, 2007 at 7:30 PM at the Hunterdon County Complex on Route 12.  All members were encouraged to attend.                                                               

VI. Invoices – no new invoices received.

 

VII. CORRESPONDENCE

A.  Appropriation Budget Summary 1/1/07 – 6/30/07     

B.  Letter from S. Huber/NJ Clean Communities Council, 6/5/07, re:  Fact Sheet and Annual Report to the Governor

C.   Various Minutes and Agendas

D.   Resource Recycling – June 2007

 

VIII. NEW BUSINESS   

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

 

IX. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – Joe Hardaker was present for tonight’s meeting.

 

X.  OPEN TO THE COMMITTEE –  none received.

HIGHLIGHTS:    1.  Major discussion of draft County Recycling Plan/Enforcement – potential of increased costs to Township.  There was a request for a four month extension till it is presented to the Hunterdon County Freeholders.  Members present at the meeting reviewed the draft plan and no comments were received.      

 

XI. Adjournment – 8:55 PM                                                                     (M. DiDonato/D. Tangtrakul)

 

 

Respectfully submitted by

 

 

 

 

Joyce S. Corboy

Recycling Coordinator

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PRESENT:  W. Harrison, D. Tangtrakul, M. DiDonato, A. Celebre, M. Ammann,

                     J. Corboy, Coordinator

        

ABSENT:    M. Dessel, K. Schroeder, K. Machnik, D. Wehmann, S. Helfrich

 

PLEASE NOTE:  These minutes have been formally approved by the Recycling Committee at their August 14, 2007 meeting.

 

NEXT MEETING:   AUGUST 14, 2007 - TUESDAY AT 7:30 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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