Palmer Township – EAC

Environmental Steering Committee                    Minutes 10/19/06                                                  p. 1 of 1

     

Attendees: Larry Bonner, Tom Dittmar, Tom Ganssle, Ron Kantor, Robert Lammi, Cindy Oatis, Rob Reese, Jo-Ann Stoneback, Denise Veres

 

Guests:  Waste Management of PA: Bill Buskirk (Front Load Supervisor)

 

Meeting opened at:  7:00 PM

 

1.      Minutes Approval:  April, May, June, September approved with one correction in Sept.: Under “Composting Seminar” – “900 people” changed to “940 people” – (Tom G. / Ron K.)

2.      WM Issues:

-       Bill Buskirk discussed Waste Management coming up with a safety slogan to protect route drivers because 31% of  accidents are driver error (backing of hauling vehicles into structures), remainder, other.  J. Stoneback will get it into November Palmer Newsletter

-     T. Ganssle informed B. Buskirk that Tom contacted Harry Smith of WM for reimbursement money for lawn mowers purchased by Palmer for Community Weekend give-away and received no reply.  Bill will speak with Harry.

3.      Recycling Coordinator Report:

-       Grants – C. Oatis updated progress: DEP will only allow 902/904 grants which must be proven to be “sustainable” and they are more restrictive with municipalities in noncompliance.  Palmer needs to enforce recycling ordinances and she sees frequent residents in noncompliance- this will hurt future grant approval unless corrected.  Palmer Code officers will have to be more vigilant.  Suggestion to place an article concerning enforcement in Palmer Newsletter and to make present recycling programs self-sufficient.  T. Dittmar suggested pushing hauling companies to market recyclables.  R. Reese inquired when Palmer will hit $1,000,000 grant reimbursement figure – Cindy “Very soon” but will check.

- 902 ($60,000), 904 ($100,00) coming in December

                        - $200 in budget for EAHS cart liners for recycling paper

-     Waste/Recyclables Contract – C. Oatis reported on numerous meetings of her with Chuck Bruno to finalize changes to old bid specs & contract – all near completion.  Contract subcommittee members need to see email of changes and make suggestions ASAP.

4.      Old Business:

-       Newsletter – J. Stoneback – new graphic designer: Mike Smull.  Need to sequester space for 2007 Hauling contract

 changes to educate residents.

-       R. Reese working with Tom Adams to continue with storm drain marking in township

-       Bike Path update – Eagle Scout project underway to make & place signage posts.  R. Reese looking into gating and road crossing signs

-       Northampton’s electronic recycling pick-up this past summer a great success.  County will hold another one in future.  R. Reese – EAHS will run one in the spring; C. Oatis needs more than 2 weeks notice for advertisement

-       R. Reese – on Open Space funding, County Finance Committee involved.  ESC members should call local representatives expressing their favor for this funding.

-     B. Lammi – updated committee on sinkhole issues around Palmer, especially route 33 corridor

5.      New Business

-       PEC/EAC conference of 10/18 – R. Reese attended and provided report:  LVPC and Lehigh/Northampton Counties involved with Kittinity Ridge Project and LV Greenways Plan in slow development.  News of these conferences are delivered to area EACs but not to elected officials – needs to be changed

-       D. Veres – concerned with global warming outcomes – could prepare a presentation for next meeting.

 

                                                                                                                                       

Next Meeting:  11/16/06                                                                                                                               Meeting Adjourned:  8:30 PM (Tom G., Tom D.)

 

 

 

TDG/tg   11/13/06