HomeMy Public PortalAboutRecycling Commission -- 2024-01-16 MinutesTOWN OF BREWSTER RECYCLING COMMISSION, 2024 January 16
198 Main Street, Conference Room A
In attendance: Meg Morris (Chair), Griffin Ryder, Katie Scott, Annie Dugan, Sue Skidmore,
Donna Kalinick (Town Admin Liaison)
1. Call to Order: Chair Morris calls meeting to order at 2:01.
2. Declaration of a Quorum: The chair notes that a quorum is present.
3. Chair Morris reads aloud that Meeting Participation Statement.
4. Chair Morris reads aloud the Recording Statement.
5. Public Announcements and Comments: There are no online attendees
6. Approval of Minutes from November meeting
a. Names on the last page are missing surnames.
b. The Chair will make the additions for the official record, and the commission
votes to accept the minutes once they have been corrected.
7. Solid Waste and Recycling Information, Griffin Ryder
a. Site changes/enhancements: Mr. Ryder recommended that residents can always
check website for up-to-date information about closings and openings at the
Recycling Center.
i. November was busy for textile recycling, December a little slower. Pickup
by our vender has been on-time and trouble-free.
ii. Swap Shop managers are being kept in the loop regarding possible
upcoming changes to traffic flow.
iii. With regard to plans for changing the layout and traffic flow at the
recycling center, protection of the "cap" on the landfill is paramount. It is
important to avoid disturbing it as its purpose is to prevent harmful
chemicals from leaching into the soil and groundwater.
iv. Suggested recommendations for fee increases at the Recycling Center
1. Mr. Ryder passed out a memorandum on this subject. The biggest
variable behind these increases has been the dramatic increase in
cost of getting our brush ground into chips; in FY21 it was $80/30 -
yard container and in FY23/24 it jumped to $275/30 -yard
container. The proposed fees are consistent with neighboring
towns.
2. Next discussion was about eliminating fee for leaves/grass/yard
waste. There was agreement that it would be a nice gesture to the
town's residents.
3. Mr. Ryder also supports the elimination of fees for disposal of
Christmas trees. The income generated from this fee is negligible.
Question: The DPW does not have a chipper, so larger brush/trees
must be shipped off-site.
4. Motion by Ms. Dugan; second by Ms. Skidmore to recommend to
the Select Board the proposed increase in fees for the various
services and for the elimination of the fee for disposal of
Christmas trees; it was passed unanimously.
8. Recycling Outreach Programs
a. Fix It Clinic is coming up in February. This event is already on the library calendar
for February 24, 1:00-3:00 PM.
b. Stony Brook recycling education and organics collection
i. A program will start for the second-grade students sometime around
Earth Day. We need to procure child -sized containers for these smaller
students, K-2. While they may need a little more instruction and help than
older students, they are already showing enthusiasm for the project.
Discussion followed about putting together a meaningful age-appropriate
program/assembly for the students.
c. Working Group: Ms. Semple and Ms. Dugan have been exploring local options for
ways to recycle, repurpose, and reuse. Ms. Dugan has contacted local nurseries
about suggestions for how to handle the plastic pots that the plants come in. She
has also been reading more about the dangers of nanoplastics. Local
establishments include Crocker's, Allard's Farm, and Agway. Maybe reverse the
framing of the problem — instead of us dealing with recycling of their pots, push
them to use something other than plastic like burlap or peat pots?
9. Swap Shop was closed on December 30, Ms. Kalinick does not have an opening date yet.
10. Town Department Liaison Reports relative to Recycling and Solid Waste:
a. Nip Ban went into effect on January 01, notices were sent out to all vendors with
reminders about the new policy. Ms. Kalinick made a compliance check with
every location and every owner; all were in compliance.
b. The Public Works Department is working on an updated Recycling Dividends
grant and the Select Board is reminding departments that all town offices should
be using recyclable products whenever possible.
c. Town Meeting has been set for Saturday, May 11, time TBD.
11. FYIs
a. Peter Johnson has stepped down from the Recycling Commission. He has always
been an important member of the committee, and his enthusiasm and expertise
will be sorely missed.
12. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair: none.
13. Next Meeting is Tuesday, February 20, at 2:00 PM.
14. Motion to Adjourn at 2:53 PM.