HomeMy WebLinkAboutWaste Reduction Recycling Comm. 03/03/2022MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS NOT PRESENT:
Neil calls meeting to order -
Waste Reduction & Recycling Committee
March 3, 2022
MEETING MINUTES
Neil Rhein, Select Board
Josh Reinke, Interim Director of DPW
Christina Collins, DPW Office Manager
Mike Ahern, Special Buildings, Special Projects
Matthew Jacques, School Department
Mark Corsillo, Resident
Kevin Dumas, Town Manager
Graham Wilson, Board of Health
1. Approval of Minutes from 2/3/2022 meeting.
RECEIVED
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Christina makes motion to approve minutes with correction on first page paragraph three with regard to
correcting name; Josh seconds the motion; Vote 5-0-1; Mike Ahern abstains as he wasn't present for February
3m meeting. 2/3/22 Minutes are approved.
2. Committee Goals
Neil feels like we shouldn't spend a lot of time on this as we spent the previous year or so coming up with the
Committee goals and now we need to implement and move forward with these goals of waste reduction and
recycling improvements.
3. Review and Prioritize Items on Project Spreadsheet
Neil feels that the spreadsheet and goals will keep committee on track and organized
Education —
Social Media campaign about getting information out to residents on where to go for recycling questions and
trash question, hours at green, disposing of items, RecycleSmart website, etc. Discussion about stickers for the
recycle carts and maybe magnets for residents' homes; magnets could be kept at Town Hall and maybe handed
out at Town Meeting, Family Fun night; etc. Stickers for the recycle bins would have a list of what is and isn't
recyclable, could include a QR code that takes the resident right to RecycleSmart where they could find out if
the item is actually recyclable;
Everyone agrees to get the stickers for the recycle carts as soon as possible. Christina will look into what the
cost of same would be through possibly the Recycle IQ or Waste Management itself. Possible use of recycle
dividend funds to cover a portion of the cost related to same. There are roughly 6800-7000 recycle carts in the
Town currently; stickers would have to be placed on the containers the day they are out for pick-up. Possibility
of rehiring summer intern to help with same. Matt will also reach out to the environmental club at the high
school and see if they would have any interest in helping out.
Neil has been presenting waste reduction and recycle talks to various Towns and clubs since April of 2020. It is
currently a zoom situation. April 22"a is Earth Day was thinking that he could maybe do a zoom presentation
and have the Mansfield Cable record same. This would provide the residents of Mansfield with information on
how the trash and recycling is managed and costs covered in the Town. Neil will reach out to Keep Mansfield
Beautiful, possibly the environmental club and coordinate the zoom presentation.
Also, the Town's website needs to be improved with regard to trash and recycling; Neil will look into
information for ReCollect.net and costs and maybe the possibility of a zoom presentation.
Infrastructure Update for the Mansfield Green
Town did get some money at Town Meeting to have a company research a new design for the recycling center,
old landfill and shooting range area; rfqs are going out next week hopefully and a company will be selected by
mid -April. The study will most likely take about six months so any plans or changes would be included in the
fiscal 2024 budget.
Would like to look into increasing fees for disposing of things at Mansfield Green. Mainly of interest would be
televisions. Currently a television can be disposed of for $10 no matter what the size is; this is a lot less
expensive of the amount the Town is charged to dispose of same. Mike will do some research on what
surrounding Towns are charging and hopefully we can make a change to the amount we charge. Currently
Miller and Complete Recycling pick-up at the Recycle Park. Miller currently has a contract. Planet Aide has a
clothing bin at the Recycle Park also. Currently the main issue at the Recycle Park is the need for additional
staffing. Especially near the compost area as that area gets a lot of contamination as there is nobody back there
to patrol same. Mike stated we cannot consider expanding services presently without adding additional staff
and a master plan
Neil asks Josh about the enclosures on Old Colony Way; Josh was told they should be completed by spring.
School related initiatives can be added to the current spreadsheet for the Recycle Dividends Grant to make sure
Christina is getting all the points she can
4. Resident's Comments and Questions
None
5. Member's Comments and Questions
None
6. Items Not Anticipated 48 Hours Prior to Meeting
None
7. Adjourn
Mike makes a motion to adjourn the meeting; Christina seconds the motion; 6-0 vote — meeting adjourned.
Next meeting April 7' at 4:30.
Respectfully Submitted