EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP
RECYCLING COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 10, 2009 - TUESDAY, 7:30 P.M.
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I. CALL TO ORDER
The March 2009 Business Meeting of the East Amwell Township Recycling Committee was called to order officially at 7:32 P. M. by Will Harrison, Chairperson.
II. MINUTES
Minutes of the January 13, 2009 Reorganization meeting were approved with no corrections/additions. There were no abstentions. (M. Petrus/M. DiDonato)
III. ADDITIONS Changes in 2009 Depot Day and Changes for Clean-Up Day were added to New Business by W. Harrison.
IV. REPORTS
A. Youth Report M. Ammann was absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.
B. Depot Report M. Petrus distributed his March 2009 Depot Day Report. 89 vehicles were serviced. Dumpsters were placed on the appropriate marks. Paper dumpster was approximately 50% full and the glass/plastic one was 45% full. Two buckets of batteries were collected. One and third bags of bottles were collected for Terracycle. The new clicker worked admirably.
C. Environmental Commission Report M. Petrus reported that the Environmental Commission is busy with site reviews on the conservation easements. He reminded members that the Environmental Commission will be inviting Mr. Everitt of the 4-H Fair to attend the April 2009 meeting. Members of the Recycling Committee are invited to attend.
D. Township Committee Report No report was received.
E. Internet Recycling Prices K. Martin distributed her Internet Recycling Report. Ferrous scrap prices sank this month, dropping by as much as $40 a long ton on some of the less desirable grades. The outlook for demand is not much brighter. Prices offered for some grades HDPE and PET moved up so slightly in early March in California, Colorado and the Pacific Northwest. White ledger and computer laser paper are still high in comparison to corrugated and newspaper. In comparison to 2008, all 2009 prices are down, with the exception of glass - prices remaining status quo.
F. SWAC Report W. Harrison stated that SWAC met on 2/17/09. Paul Cronce from Lambertville was re-elected as Chair and your delegate is again Vice Chair. The Amendments to the Solid Waste Management Plan, specifically the enforcement provisions, are to be negotiated between the DEP, the Freeholders and the Hunterdon County Utilities Authority, along with the County Counsel. SWAC is not presently involved. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to a presentation by Recycle Bank which generated a lot of interest.
The County Planning Board hosted a Breakfast Talk on recycling on Friday, March 6 including a talk by Lambertville Public Works Director, Paul Cronce, on their highly successful single stream recycling program, a talk by Keith Kiskel from Alexandria about their recycling program, an address by Dominick DAlito, President of the Association of NJ Recyclers, and Gerry St. Onge
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from Frenchtown on the Recycle Bank Program. Ross Hull from the State DEP also spoke. The meeting was well attended with over 70 in attendance. This is scheduled to be a quarterly occurrence and worth attending
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. Electronic Recycling and Clean-Up Day Updates Tire dumpster at Clean-Up Day will be canceled see explanation listed below under New Business.
Blaine Hummel of the Environmental Commission was present this evening for the discussion on the Electronic Recycling Day. W. Harrison called for a motion to Open to the Public. M. Petrus made the motion and M. DiDonato seconded it. W. Harrison updated members on the recent news about Supreme Recycling and the pending Department of Environmental Protection violations/fines. E-Mail message from W. Harrison was sent on 3/9/09 to all members listing the pending non-compliances. Discussion was held on the pros and cons of using a company with pending violations and possible heavy fines. B. Hummel asked what would happen if the company goes bankrupt or closes it doors potential liability to East Amwell Township. T. Martin stated that in good conscience do we want to deal with a company that has such ethics. He also suggested that he consult with the Township Counsel. W. Harrison informed members that he did make inquires about another firm with an excellent reputation, but that there is neither the time nor money to try to hire a new firm. M. Dessel stated that our first concern should be to protect the Township from liability. After a lengthy discussion on the issues of ethics, liability and costs, T. Martin made the motion to cancel Electronic Recycling on April 4. M. Petrus seconded the motion and the vote was all in favor with no nays. Members then went on to discuss how to inform the residents of this cancellation: note will be sent to the school, small posters/signs will be posted throughout locations in the Township, website notification and handouts explaining the cancellation will be distributed at the April 4 Depot Day. M. Petrus made the motion to close to the public and T. Martin seconded the motion. W. Harrison will notify Supreme of our cancellation.
VI. Invoices -
1. Printech printing and folding of 2009 Spring Newsletter - $770.00
2. J. S. Corboy reimbursement for postage/mailing of newsletter amount not to exceed $400.00
Invoices were approved for payment - T. Martin/M. Petrus (Actual amount was $383.33)
VII. Correspondence
A. Letter from G. Watson/Department of Environmental Protection, 1/2009, re: annual recycling poetry contest/calendar
B. Various Minutes and Agendas
C. Resource Recycling Magazine February 2009
H. Flyer/catalog from Keep American Beautiful
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VIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Changes in 2009 Depot Day Schedule W. Harrison informed members that a meeting was held to discuss 2009 budgets with Chairpersons of all Boards and Committees and T. Matheny. Requisitions are required for any anticipated expenditures. Discussion was also held concerning the costs of Electronic Recycling Day. If we proceed with Electronic Recycling, it was decided to go with the least expensive way 40 yd. container. Depot Day expenses were also discussed and W. Harrison suggested that we cancel the July, September and November Depot Days in order to save money. M. Petrus made the motion to cancel these depots and T. Martin seconded the motion. All were in favor. Announcement of these cancellations will be issued in the Spring Newsletter. M. Petrus also announced that all e-mails between Committee members should also cc T. Stahl/Municipal Clerk.
B. Tire Dumpster at Clean-Up Day W. Harrison suggested that because of budgetary restraints, we not have the tire dumpster at Clean-Up Day. Members discussed and agreed. M. Dessel made the motion and it was seconded by M. DiDonato. All were in favor. Secretary was asked to notify Raritan Valley of this change. Tires will still be collected.
IX. Open to the Public - B. Hummel was present this evening. He expressed his appreciation tonight to all for allowing him to express his opinions on the topic of Electronic Recycling/cancellation. He and his son volunteered to serve on April 4.
X. Open to the Committee - M. Petrus reminded members that he forwarded some information on re-usable water bottles.
XI. Adjournment 9:07 PM. (M. DiDonato/M. Petrus)
Members and B. Hummel proceeded to affix labels to the 2009 Spring Newsletter.
Respectfully submitted by
Joyce S. Corboy
Recycling Coordinator
PRESENT: W. Harrison, M. Dessel, K. Martin, M. DiDonato, M. Petrus
T. Martin, B. Hunmel (Env. Com.), J. Corboy, Coordinator/Secretary
ABSENT: M. Ammann
NOTE: These minutes have not been formally approved by the Recycling Committee. They will be reviewed at their April 14, 2009 meeting.
NEXT MEETING: APRIL 14, 2009 - 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