Palmer Township

Environmental Steering Committee Minutes

October 18, 2007

 

Attendees: Rob Reese, Tom Ganssle, Cindy Oatis, Robert Lammi, Nancy Nicholas, Ron Kantor, Jo-Ann Stoneback, Denise Veres

 

Meeting opened at:  7:05 PM

 

Guests: 

Bonita Jodz – “Save Our Neighborhood”

Ms. Jodz is a resident of the Brentwood section of Palmer Township and attended this ESC meeting as a spokesperson for “Save Our Neighborhood,” formed in response to health and environmental concerns in the Brentwood neighborhood, regarding the Lower Nazareth Township IDI plan.  The IDI project proposes to build an industrial warehouse and docking station next to this neighborhood and one block from a neighborhood playground.  Potential environmental issues concerning the IDI plan include water run-off, sinkholes, air, noise, and light pollution because of the 24/7 operation and increased traffic, especially of diesel trucks.

 

 Bob L gave the ESC background on the IDI proposal and Palmer Township’s involvement:  Six years ago   Lower Nazareth re-zoned the area as a “light industrial campus.”   Palmer resisted, but did not prevail in asking for this area to be residential.   Presently, L. Nazareth is going through a “condition of use” process and Palmer Supervisors have been sending a Solicitor and Engineer to meetings.  Bob agrees that there will no doubt be an increase in water run-off toward Palmer, and Pidcock engineers are looking at this closely.   “Save Our Neighborhood” is asking Palmer Township to supply them with a Geo Technical engineer to make a sinkhole assessment.  Bob will discuss with BOS.

 

Rob R. proposed that the ESC recommend to the Palmer BOS that a Geo Technical engineer be obtained for this purpose.  A motion was made by Jo-Ann S., seconded by Tom D.  Denise V. will send a letter to BOS for their next meeting, Tuesday, October 24th.  [Note: submitted letter attached to this document.]

 

Robert Natkis  - J.P. Mascaro.      

 

Minutes Approval:  Tom G. made a motion to approve September minutes with the following amendments:  1) White goods are being properly recycled as per Cindy Oatis and Robert Natkis.  Minutes approved as amended (motion 2nd by Tom D).  July minutes were also approved. (motion made by Tom G., 2nd by Jo-Ann). 

 

Minutes from September were sent to Brenda, but have not yet appeared on the Palmer website.  Denise will call Brenda to make sure that minutes were received.  

 

Mascaro Issues –

White Goods:  Cindy O. asked if white goods are being properly recycled.  Robert Natkis said that white goods are taken to scrap metal yards, but they were not able to collect much because pick-up trucks are beating them to the pick-up, so they are being properly recycled.  Tom G. will look at the hauling contract and clarify the question of ownership (Mascaro or Township) of white goods when placed at curbside.  Cindy also asked for tonnage reports from Robert.    

 

Tonnage reports:  including yard waste, will be forthcoming from Mascaro (R. Natkis).

 

Rosemont Court Apartments:  R. Natkis received a question about recycling from Rosemont Court apartment.  This complex has a private trash hauler.  Cindy said they should be recycling through their hauler.  Robert will exchange info with Cindy so she can contact the building manager.

 

Leaf issue:  Robert asked what Mascaro should do when Palmer residents put out bags of leaves.  ESC members agreed that Mascaro should tag these bags to educate residents and not to collect.

 

Act 101:  DEP is asking for proof of House Bill 1902.  Cindy O. explained that Palmer doesn’t have a strong enforcement program.  Part of this enforcement is Mascaro putting stickers on recycling that is not acceptable, and the township has assigned a part-time enforcement officer.  Cindy is asking ESC to put enhancement of curbside and business and school recycling enforcement, on a future agenda.  DEP is also asking for “special item collections”, how to deal with illegal dumping, Household Hazardous Waste, e-cycling and, tires.   There is a risk of losing DEP grant money if the Township can’t show that there is enforcement.

 

Recycling Coordinator Report

 

E-cycling:

Bob L brought the issue of an e-cycling event to COG meeting last night.  COG members were in favor and Bob offered Palmer ESC for coordinating.  Rob R. mentioned Kunkle Area at EAHS as the venue.  Bob said that COG is willing to fund advertising.  To secure the Kunkle Area for e-cycling, Rob’s Environmental student will ask and try to secure and will contact Bonnie Swavely at AERC to secure a Saturday in early May 2008. 

 

HHW:

Northampton County is in favor of doing a HHW event and is asking Palmer ESC to spearhead.  Previous county HHW not done well, so asked if 1) Palmer ESC could take advisory or organizational role, and 2) if Palmer would kick in money for HHW event.  Bob L. said that there is no money for this and he felt it not fair for a few municipalities to pay for everyone.  Members were not in favor of running an event of this type, but would advertise and endorse the event.  

 

Easton Area Elementary Schools:  Cindy O. is trying to work with elementary schools in Easton.  The schools are providing volunteers for school-wide paper recycling that by default turns into community paper recycling.   Schools raise money by selling the recyclables.  To date, Cindy has not been able to reach acting superintendent Mr. Kish.  Cindy also mentioned that this program ties into the enforcement aspect of ACT 1902 for recycling of schools and businesses.   Tom G. will address with Mr. Kish.

 

1.        Old Business

 

Newsletter: Articles are in place about winners of raffles and photos, importance of recycling for residents, ESC needing new members, and AERC taking residential drop-offs.

 

A larger cardboard container is needed at Hartley.  Cindy O. will request funds for this in a 902.  

 

If anyone is interested in Storm Drain labeling, talk to Rob R.

 

The grand opening of the bike path at Mill Race in Tatamy will be next Friday at noon. (October 26th).  

 

Rob R. has a Lower Mayfield Township Native Plants Ordinance for developers.  If anyone is interested in trying to adopt this ordinance for Palmer, see Rob.

 

“Greening” Palmer – shrinking Palmer’s eco-footprint.  Ideas??

 

Tom D purchased a new ESC tent from the 2007 budget.

 

2.        New Business

 

Ron K:  Palmer Soccer Tournament first week in November (Keystone and Tracy).  Can recycling containers be put out there?  Ron will call R. Natkis (Mascaro).

 

 

Adjourn:  9:07PM

 

Minutes submitted by D. Veres