EAST AMWELL
TOWNSHIP
RECYCLING
COMMITTEE MINUTES
JULY 8, 2008 - TUESDAY,
7:30 P.M.
__________________________________________________________________________
I. CALL TO ORDER
The July 2008 Business Meeting of the East Amwell Township Recycling Committee was called to order officially at 7:35 P. M. by W. Harrison, Chairperson.
II. MINUTES
Minutes of the June 10, 2008 Business meeting were approved with no corrections/additions. There were three abstentions. (M. Dessel/J. Corboy
III. ADDITIONS – No additions were received or suggested. However, W. Harrison informed member that the Depot Days Recycling Guidelines have been updated. The updated version was e-mailed to all.
IV. REPORTS
A. Youth Report – M. Ammann was absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.
B. Depot Report – W. Harrison sent copies of the July Depot Day Report to all via e-mail prior to this evening’s meeting. Approximately 61 vehicles were serviced. The dumpsters were located close to the east end of the parking lot and were placed too close together to open both doors fully. Paper/cardboard dumpster was 90% full and the glass/plastic one was 50% full. One large bag was collected of plastic bottles for Terracycle. G. Miller has done a commendable job collecting bottles and cans from the ball fields - shed was almost packed full. W. Harrison, M. Dessel and T. Martin promised to take charge of the August Depot Day.
C. Environmental Commission Report – M. Petrus was absent this evening. However, he did send a report via e-mail. “The 4-H Fair is set for August and the Environmental Commission would like to work together on the following:
A. An interactive display of things that are recyclable with an emphasis on items that are not generally known (odd types of plastics, etc.);
B. Help in ‘manning’ the booth during the days the Fair is on (an e-mail request will follow);
C. Another shot at recycling materials at the Fair – We understand that you’ve tried before, but we’d like to give it another go. Attempts to reach Mr. Everitt have not been successful, but I will continue to call or stop by. He’s been out in the fields and is probably busy and tired. Once we find out the contractor, we may be able to work out an agreement. A Commission member can get us 50-gallon plastic drums for collection and emptying into a dumpster.” Secretary reported that the Environmental Commission has posted a job description for an intern to work on the Conservation Easement project (ANJEC grant). T. Martin asked for details concerning the prior attempt at recycling at the 4-H Fair. A brief synopsis was given by W. Harrison. T. Martin suggested that W. Harrison contact M. Petrus about this topic.
D. Township Committee Report – T. Martin informed members that the State came through with another $106,000 approximately. Another budget meeting was held and J. Luhrs worked on the redefining the new amounts.
E. Internet Recycling Prices – K. Martin distributed her report. Widening gap between top level industrial steel scrap and secondary grades (shredded/industrial scrap) - $200/ton differential. High offshore demand and export of ferrous scrap continues. There are significant increases in
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California and some markets for newspaper. Old corrugated containers continue to drop in western markets. Prices remain relatively stable in the plastics market as well as the glass market. The 2007/2008 comparison chart shows significant increases in computer laser paper, white ledger, municipal shredded steel and used steel cans. T. Martin commented that the Township has found significant increases in the costs for paper supplies for the office.
F. SWAC Report – W. Harrison stated that SWAC met on June 17. In his SWAC notes, he commented on what other municipalities are doing with their recycling programs. Alexandria Township had a recent electronics recycling day. They routinely collect scrap wood each month. Lambertville is now doing a single stream recycling using Colgate Recycling in New Brunswick. Kingwood Township’s recycling center is now open weekdays. T. Martin brought up the subject of shared services and asked members to give some thought on how we could, perhaps, share services with surrounding townships. W. Harrison stated that an important factor would be a secure location. The next Hunterdon County Hazardous Waste Day will be on July 12 and their next electronics collection day will be on September 27.
Final changes to the Solid Waste Management Plan were approved and it was sent to the State in March, after which the Department of Environmental Protection has 150 days to review it. Then, the counties and municipalities will have up to six months to act upon it. W. Harrison estimated that we may be able to start on the municipal ordinance before the end of 2008, but completion will likely come in 2009. The SWAC meeting for July has been canceled.
G. Other –
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. Purchase of Recycling Containers – W. Harrison updated members on the subject of purchasing recycling containers for the Snack Shack/ball field areas. At the last meeting, members voted to set aside $500 to purchase bottle/can recycling containers. Appropriate recycling cans could not be found locally. W. Harrison made wooden tops for two regular garbage containers and will put them near the Snack Shack after the meeting. He also mentioned that both recycling and garbage cans are still needed at Clawson Park.
VI. Invoices – none received.
VII. Correspondence
A. 2008 Recycling Awards Program Brochure from Department of Environmental Protection
B. Introductory Letter from Britton Industries
C. Fact Sheet – Clean Communities Program 2008 & Booklet “Twenty Years of Success”
D. June 23, 2008 – Directory Changes
E. Appropriation Amount Summary – 1/1/08 to 6/12/08
F. Various Minutes and Agendas
G. Resource Recycling Magazine – June 2008
VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Overall Accounting/Receipts for Recycling – Secretary provided a copy of the 2007 Tonnage Report to T. Martin and a yearly summary since 2001, as he recently requested. He hopes to better understand the procedures of receipts/reporting cycle of recycling. No further comments were made.
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IX. Open to the Public – None present.
X. Open to the Committee – W. Harrison commented that he, once again, informed R. Spinelli of the situation with the dumpsters being placed in different areas of the parking lot each month instead of in the same location as desired. Marks have just recently been painted on the parking lot as an indication of where the dumpsters should be placed.
He also mentioned that he spoke to Mr. Spinelli about single stream recycling for East Amwell Township. Additional charges were mentioned because of the costs to deliver the recycling to another area. Proposal is expected shortly. He also reminded T. Martin that we are still short a member.
XI. Adjournment – 8:45 PM. (T. Martin/M. Dessel)
Respectfully submitted by
Joyce S. Corboy
Recycling Coordinator
PRESENT: W. Harrison, M. Dessel, K. Martin, K. Ostrander, T. Martin,
J. Corboy, Coordinator/Secretary
ABSENT: D. Tangtrakul, M. DiDonato, M. Petrus, M. Ammann, S. Helfrich
NOTE: These minutes have been formally approved by the Recycling Committee at their August 12, 2008 meeting.
NEXT MEETING: AUGUST 12, 2008 - 7:30 PM
cc: Rec. Com. Members Board. of Health Twp. Committee & Clerk
Recreation Com. Planning Board Zoning Board of Adjustment
Environ. Com. Twp. Bulletin Board Farmland & Open Space Preservation