Minutes 10/07/08

Approved 11/03/08

Present were Jim Vaillancourt, Chair; Ken Curley, Selectmen's Representative; Steve Preston, Transfer Station Foreman; Margaret Walker, Ben Edwards, Lucy Edwards and guest Marilyn Weir of NRRA (Northeast Resource Recovery Association).

Ken Curley motioned and Margaret Walker seconded to approve the minutes of the Aug. 25th meeting.  The motion passed unanimously.

Lucy Edwards agreed to take the minutes of the meeting.

The committee discussed the income and cost figures for the recycling now taking place at the transfer station.  The goal is to get a clearer picture of whether or not the efforts are breaking even or making some profit for the town.  After a long discussion the committee came to these conclusions:

1. The town needs a system to match expenses with revenues for recycling.  The committee believes that the figures are clear except for the demo and furniture.  Margaret Walker moved and Ken Curley seconded a motion to recommend to the selectmen that a cash register be purchased for the transfer station.  The cash register tapes of fees collected for each category of recyclable can then be matched with the pulls of the containers by dates to give a comparison of cost vs. revenue.  The motion passed unanimously.

2. The committee also recommended that the selectmen be informed that it is the committee's understanding that they are at least breaking even with the co-mingled plastic, glass and tin recycling effort and that it should continue.

Mr. Preston had invited Ms. Weir to the meeting so that she could present some new initiatives in recycling options for the town. She told us that there are currently three options for towns in the area. The first is dual stream recycling, such as what we do today with mixed paper in one container and the co-mingled plastic, glass and tin in the other.  The second is single stream, where all recyclables are put in one container.

The third is an option now being piloted in NH.  NRRA collects all recyclables a transfer station might have ready (baled) on a regular schedule and combines the collected items from all the towns participating to sell in bulk, which brings in a considerably higher return than selling in small quantities.  This means that transfer stations do not need to store recyclables until they have large enough quantities on hand to get the best prices.  NRRA will also accept non-baled recyclables transported to the facility in Pittsfield, and for a processing and baling fee will prepare them for sale.

Mr. Vaillancourt asked Mr. Curley what he thought the selectmen would need to see in order for the town to try out this third option.  Ms. Weir suggested that the town start by having the products transported to the facility over a period of time, and see if then it might be worth purchasing the equipment needed to bale the products at the transfer station.  Mr. Curley said the board would need to see some projected figures on volume and the possible return on investment. Ms. Weir may be able to help us prepare a proposal.

Mr. Preston took advantage of the offer of a free tank to collect vegetable oil for recycling for biodiesel and will place next to the waste oil collection tank at the transfer station.

The committee expressed thanks to Ms. Weir for her presentation.

The next meeting will be Monday, Nov. 3rd.