Palmer Township Environmental Steering Committee

Meeting Minutes – March 16, 2006

Attendees: Larry Bonner, Tom Dittmar, Tom Ganssle, Ron Kantor, Cindy Oatis, Rob Reese, Denise Veres, Bob Lammi (Supervisor and Liaison)

Guest: Bill Buskirk, Residential Route manager, WM/GCS

Meeting was opened at 7:09 P.M.

Approval of Minutes: Minutes were approved from the February 16, 2006 ESC meeting (T.Ganssle & T.Dittmar).

Hauler Issues: B. Buskirk stated that having to drive back into a private area to pickup trash along a Park Avenue location is a safety issue. He will bring this to Bob Anckaitis’ attention and ask to have the residents put their trash out on the main road for pickup.

R.Reese asked B. Buskirk what it would cost for a brush run with the collected brush being taken to the recycling center. B. Buskirk estimated the costs to be about $7,000.

R. Reese asked B. Buskirk if the savings associated with using totters are impacted by offering various sizes. He stated that reduced labor costs are a major savings when using totters. Also, he would recommend offering various sizes but realizes that this is difficult to manage and bill back.

B. Buskirk agreed to furnish the committee with the WM/GCS log from the month of February. This log contains any questions, complaints etc. received during the month.

Recycling Coordinator’s Report: C. Oatis explained what she learned from discussions with local scrap metal businesses in reference to possible alternatives to having white goods included in the next trash and recyclables contract. These businesses would not provide any door pickup but would pickup items at a single township location. She also stated that a local appliance business would provide for individual pickup or the dropping off of items at their location for a fee.

C. Oatis informed us that the PA DEP requires that residents must be provided with 2 brush type pickups per year. She will find out if the township’s annual leaf collection would count as one of these two.

Old Business:

Composting Seminar: T. Dittmar scheduled September 23, 2006 for the seminar. It will be held at the Township’s recycling drop off center.

Bushkill Stream Conservancy: T. Ganssle informed us that BSC will participate in the earth day “Great Cleanup across PA” on April 22, 2006. They will be cleaning the area along the sides of the Bushkill Stream.

E-cycling Event: The EAHS will be holding an E-cycling event on Saturday April 8, 2006 from 9:00A.M. – 3:00 P.M. at the high school.

Storm Drain Painting: T. Ganssle told us that EAHS students are planning to mark the storm drains located near the high school.

New Business: none.

Next Meeting: April 20, 2006 at the Palmer Municipal Building at 7:00 PM.

Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 P.M.

Submitted by:

Larry Bonner, Secretary

Palmer Township Environmental Steering Committee