Palmer Township – EAC

Environmental Steering Committee

June 25, 2008

 

Attendees: Rob Reese, Tom Ganssle, Nancy Nicholas, Denise Veres, Cindy Oatis, Bob Lammi, Terry Cooper, Chris Baglia, John Olock, Tom Dittmar   

 

Meeting opened at:  7:12 PM

 

Guests: 

Rob Natkie from Mascaro.

 

Approval of Minutes:  Minutes approved on motion by Tom G., seconded by Tom D.

 

Hauler Report:

Rob Natkie from Mascaro was in attendance. 

 

Yard Waste Pick-Up:  During the last yard waste pick-up, Mr. Natkie reports that there was lots of contamination.  He suggested that Mascaro provide a display at Palmer Days ESC booth to show what is acceptable and not acceptable yard waste.

 

Recycling Non-compliance:  Non-compliance: Rob R. asked about handling recycling compliance.  Mr. Natkie replied that only non-compliance stickers are used.  Rob. R. asked  if photos can be taken to indicate house address and non-compliance act.  Rob R. plans to ride on a Mascaro truck this summer and will take photos of non-compliance.

 

White Goods Pick-Up  Mascaro picked up about 5 units of white goods  in  June  (.85 tons).  Scrap metal scavengers picked up the rest.

 

May tonnage report and phone log were distributed.

 

Cardboard Recycling Container:  Tom D. asked about the cardboard container getting full, especially on the weekends and the possibility of either Mascaro emptying it more often, or purchasing a larger container.  Since Mascaro can’t haul a bigger cardboard container from the Hartley Recycling center, a larger container is not possible at this point. 

 

Recycling Coordinator Report:

Composting Center: Bob A. asked ESC to make a recommendation re: yard waste.  DEP doesn’t want to fund a municipal yard waste center, wants a county wide center.  Tom Dittmar said that he is looking to form a county EAC that would tackle issues such as this.  He explained that presently, fuel and labor costs are prohibitive for just one county yard waste center.  He might suggest multi-sites and have municipalities share a yard waste center and equipment and has asked municipalities for feedback as to what they want.  Bob L. said the equipment should come with people to run them. 

 

Leaf Waste at Berk St.:  All leaf waste is gone from Berk St. because residents complained of the odor.  It was given to Chrin and mixed with loam for landfill cover.  It’s a problem.  Cindy O. asked if we can look at other options for the short-term.  Some things that were discussed:  Wilson/West Easton deliver their leaf waste to us and make Berk St. mulch available to Wilson/West Easton residents.  Other suggestion would be for Wilson and West Easton to have a site to take Palmer’s mulch for their residents.  Bob L. will bring it up at the next COG meeting.

 

New Recycling Brochure:  Cindy O. suggested a new recycling brochure to be put out into the community and distributed at Palmer Community Days to update and educate residents and for DEP compliance.

 

Final recommendations for yard waste:  In order to obtain better compliance and participation, the Palmer website, recycling brochure, and newsletter will have information about the next yard waste date.  Also, before yard waste weeks, a notice will be put on the electronic sign, in the newsletter, on website, flyer at Chrin Center, and a news release will be prepared.

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Old Business:

Compost Seminar:  Tom D. reported that at least 15 residents will need to sign-up or  not have it this year.  So far, have 9 residents signed up.  Might consider doing every other year.

 

Newsletter:   Next deadline is July 5th.                                                                                                                                                                              

 

E-cycling Event: Tom D. reports that the next e-cycling event will be on October 4, 2008 and will be hosted by the Nazareth COG. The county would like to have 3 events a year. 

 

Bike Ride 6/7/08:  D.Veres reported that six residents and two Genesis Bicycles leaders joined the ride on the Palmer bike trail.  Next time, there will be more specifics and better publicity:  Bob L. recommended a news release in Express-Times (Our Town section).

 

Household Hazardous Waste collection: scheduled for October 11th NAC/ Northampton County is co-hosting  with Clean Harbor.                                                                                                                      

 

New Business:

Palmer Community Days: Rob R. mentioned that this is where the energy of many committee members is focused at this time.  The subcommittee is initiating a minimal waste initiative for Palmer Days 2008 and has been in touch with the coordinators.

 

Next Meeting:

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, 7:00 PM, at Palmer Municipal Building.

 

Adjourn:  Rob R. motioned to adjourn, seconded by Tom D.  8:28PM

 

Minutes submitted by D. Veres