Palmer Township Environmental Steering Committee

      Palmer Municipal Building

   Meeting Minutes:                    March 15,  2007                                                                          P. 1 of  2

 

Attendees:    L. Bonner, T. Dittmar, T. Ganssle, R. Kantor, B. Lami, N. Nicholas, J. Olock, C. Oatis, R. Reese,

& D. Veres

 

Guests: J. P. Mascaro & Sons:  Sam Augustine (Director of Sales), Robert Natkie (General Manager, Allentown)

       

 

 Meeting opened at 7:00 PM

 

 

1. Minutes Approval:

        Minutes from ESC meetings of January approved (T.Dittmar, L. Bonner- 2nd)

 

2. Introduction of Guests:  Sam Augustine, Robert Natkie

 

3. Waste Hauler Contract:

        - C. Oatis updated ESC of unfolding Contract events/meetings.  Cindy will assemble spread sheet of prebid totals and email it to

                         ESC members.  Cindy also questioned Mascaro representatives about their ability to handle the toter option from contract. S.

                         Augustine responded with new trucks would have to be ordered and that item was covered in last bid from Mascaro.  R. Natkie

                         mentioned 2 drivers with previous experience with toter operation were currently working for Mascaro.  A discussion of new

                         toter distribution plan ensued.  Timetable for transition from rear loader to toter system was discussed; S. Augustine responded

                         with 4-6 weeks but Mascaro could operate with rear loaders until toter system ready.

        - R. Lammi reported that BOS members to ask further questions of haulers at future BOS meetings and a vote would occur the

                         meeting of last Tuesday of March.

 

4. Reorganization:

      - R. Lammi opened nominations for Chairmanship of PESC for 2007.  J. Olock nominated T. Ganssle, R. Reese as Cochairmen

                         (T. Dittmar- 2nd), vote/motioned carried.

        - Discussion of Secretary ensued and it was decided the best choice for nomination because of experience, commitment, and time

                         would be D. Veres.  Larry Bonner not available because of plans to move south and resign from ESC.  We will miss you, Larry!

                         Nomination was tabled due to Denise’s absence.

        - R. Lammi closed nominations.

 

5. Recycling Coordinator’s Report:

      - C. Oatis initiated discussion of ESC revisiting tub grinder purchase issue – Dave Hopkins (Palmer Director Public Works) in

                         favor of cooperative effort of Palmer & other local communities.  Cindy verified PADEP offering grants with multiple

                         community ownership & operation.

                        - R. Lammi volunteered to present joint cooperation with Bethlehem at next COG meeting the following Wednesday night;

                                        would email Cindy with names of interested parties.

        - C. Oatis – 902 Grant submission window – late spring.  Cindy mentioned being behind grant submission timelines due to

                         Hauling Contract issues

        - R. Reese inquired about money for Easton High School recycling initiatives – Cindy would include a line item in next budget

                         proposal.             

 

Old Business:

        - R. Reese reported that the township initiating flora plantings along the bike path

                        - Rob asking ESC to look over the action plan of 2006 to come up with ideas to be discussed at next ESC meeting

                        - Rob reports storm draining decal placement to resume when temperature remains over 50o

                                       

 

4. New Business:

        - R. Reese reports next meeting of Northampton/Lehigh county EACs at Lehigh Valley Planning Commission on April 12th

                                        ESC members encouraged to attend (5:30 PM to 7:30 PM)

                        - Stream bed clean up of Bushkill Creek in Easton, Palmer through Tatamy being sponsored by Bushkill Stream Conservancy

                                         coordinated by Jim Moser.  Members should contact Conservancy if willing to help.  Effort will take a month but final dates

                                        not yet set.

 

 

        Motion to adjourn: 8:30 PM    (J. Olock, T. Ganssle)

 

 

Submitted by: T. Ganssle

TDG/tg