HomeMy Public PortalAboutRecycling Commission -- 2023-01-12 MinutesTown of Brewster Recycling Commission
January 12, 2023
3:00 P.M. Via Zoon
1. Committee Chairperson Meg Morris called the meeting to order at 3:02.
Commissioners present: Meg Morris, Sue Skidmore, Annie Dugan, Griffin Ryder, Katie Scott,
Pat Semple, Peter Johnson joined via phone.
Liaisons present: Annette Graczewski (BOH), Donna Kalinick (TM), Dr. Mary Chaffee (SB).
2. Chairperson Morris noted that a quorum was present.
3. The Chair read the Meeting Participation Statement.
4. The Chair read the Recording Statement
5. Chair Morris opened the floor to public announcements and comments from members
of the public who had questions or concerns on issues not appearing on the agenda. NO
members of the public were present.
6. Approval minutes. Ms. Dugan moved to accept the minutes from the meeting held on
December 1, 2022, as presented. With a second from Ms. Skidmore and no discussion
the motion was called, all in favor.
7. Update on solid waste/recycling operation at BRC - DPW
Griffin reported that the bins for textiles are in place and are being used. At this
point they are being filled quickly.
Griffin informed Commissioners that there is a change in how the glass which is being
collected is recycled. Our contract with NRRA ended on December 31 "; as of January I ", our
contract is being held by SMI. The glass being collected is still going to Dennis but is no longer
being used in projects involving sewer and septic installations. The glass is now being melted
down and used in the making of other bottles. No change in our operation is needed at this point.
On September 2nd, Consultants from SHA were on site to evaluate how the facility is
being used. It is hoped that after their review they will present a holistic plan on how to best set
up and use the facility efficiently. The goal is to improve the flow of traffic, enhance the
circulation, and keep people moving in an orderly and efficient fashion. The license plate reader
is working well and allowing cars to be identified upon entering as well as leaving. Also under
review are the locations of the many drop off points being used and how they contribute to
congestion and bottlenecks during peak usage. Also, of interest, finding the best location for
C&D which is currently next to the salt loading area. The Scout beverage can collection
program is still on hold. It is the recommendation of the BRC that they hold off on resuming
their initiative until the evaluation of the area is complete.
8. Nips:
Chairperson Morris represented the Recycling Commission at the most recent
Selectboard meeting to present information pertaining to the proposed ban on the sale of nips
within the town of Brewster. Included in her presentation was a PowerPoint with details in
support of the ban. Meg felt her presentation was well received with Dr. Chaffee offering that
the Board is in support. They have requested language that would appear in the warrant. Ms.
Morris offered some draft language for the commission to consider much of which is modeled
after the Falmouth language. The language was read as follows:
Proposed Language for Brewster Annual Town Meeting Warrant.
Article No. X.
To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following ban on the same of miniature single use
containers for alcoholic beverages as a general by-law and to insert into the Code of the Town of
Brewster, Massachusetts as chapter X -X.• "The sale of alcoholic beverages in containers less
than or equal to 100 milliliters is prohibited with the Town of Brewster. " Effective: December
1,2023.
Comment. This article proposes a bylaw to ban the sale of so-called `nip' bottles. There are
compelling reasons to support such a ban given the documented nip bottle trash found along
many Brewster roads. Nips are often consumed in vehicles and discarded along roads. In 2022
"Beautify Brewster" volunteers collected 2,767 nip bottles, in one day, along select, but not all,
Brewster streets. Nip bottles are not recyclable and must be disposed of in Brewsters solid
waste. Similar ban have been adopted by Massachusetts municipalities including Falmouth and
Wareham that have been found to be lawful by the State attorney General.
It has been recommended that we change December 1St to December 31St per Town
Administrator. The final wording for the warrant is due by February 15th. Ms. Kalinick
suggested that educational information for the public could be added to the Town Website which
may answer questions as well as give information to the public. Any recommendations
submitted will be sent to town council for review. The time of the public hearing will appear on
the website. Dr. Chaffee offered that adding some quantitative data on how much discarded nips
bottles add to the litter along the roads in Brewster would be helpful. Mr. Ryder offered that
during recent site work along Millstone Rd, he observed an abundance of empty nips along the
road. Dr. Chaffee suggested that he notate that for the meeting. Ms. Skidmore made the motion
that the Recycling Commission support the language for publication in the Town Warrant as
presented with the change in dates as requested. With a second from Ms. Dugan, Ms. Kalinick
requested an adjustment in changing the date from December I to January 1 which better aligns
with the renewal date on the liquor licenses. Ms. Skidmore amended her motion to reflect the
change in date. Ms. Dugan agreed to the amendment. Ms. Morris called the rollcall vote, all in
favor.
9. Education outreach.
Chair. Morris has been working with DPW to get the most accurate and up to date
numbers as she works on the Annual Report which is due soon. She also thanked Ms. Kalinick
for her help in getting an article highlighting the use of textile bins and recycling into the
Chronicle.
Ms. Morris informed the Commission that the Eddy School Composting program is
underway and going well. The PTO has provided the funding needed to pay the fee to Black
Earth Composting which has enabled the program to go forward. Information was presented on
composting to the students by Commission members and was well received. Commissioner Pat
Semple Liaison Annette Graczewski have been working with students at the school and have
reported that they are involved and seem to be enjoying the program. The compost buckets are
being used and are full or close to full at the close of lunch each day. Between the enthusiasm of
the students and the reduction in the hauling weight of the refuse, it is hoped that it will
encourage the continuation of the program.
10. Winter Fixit Clinic with BLL
Chair Morris asked Ms. Semple and Dr. Chaffee for their opinions on holding a second
Fixit Clinic this winter. Both would like to see it repeated; Ms. Morris suggested mid to late
March might be the best time. Ideas for getting the word out were suggested informing of a
future clinic. Ms. Morris will work with the library to encourage coordination.
11. Swap shop
The Swap Shop is now closed for the season but there are always requests for it to stay
open longer into the colder months. It was decided some years ago to close during the winter
due to the winter being a busy season for DPW with snow and ice removal as well as the fact that
the building is heated with wood It can also be difficult to find enough volunteers during the
colder months. They may open at some point in April, weather permitting but that is s under
discussion.
12. Town Department Updates
No update from the Department of Finance. Nothing from Town Management. Donna
Kalinick reported that the Town Meeting will be traditional, in person and held on Monday, May
1 at Stoneybrook Elementary. Annette Graczewski reported that new COVID-19 tests are
available in Town Hall. Ms. Dugan questioned the recent issue with tests reaching their
expiration date. Ms. Graczewski advised that in such cases you should look up the lot number
on the box to check the date of expiration. Also, FYI, a date for Beautify Brewster has been set.
It will be held on April 29th with a rain date of April 30th
13. Next meeting
Our next meeting will be held on February 9th via Zoom. Ms. Kalinick added that at
some point in the near future when meetings are restored to in-person, Town Hall location,
quorum will be determined by members present in the room. Virtual participation will be
allowed but those participating by remote means will not be counted toward quorum and the
same people cannot always be virtual. Members will need to be in attendance for at least 50% of
the meetings.
14. Adj ournment
Mr. Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting at 3:47. With a second from Ms. Dugan a roll
call vote was called. All in favor.