Palmer Township EAC – Minutes
Environmental Steering Committee
February 25, 2009
Attendees:
Meeting opened at: 7:08 PM
Guests:
Bob
Anckaitis (Palmer Twsp): Bob was present for the 2009re-organization.
Steve
Tomsic (Mascaro Hauling): Steve was present to present the Mascaro Hauling
report.
David and
Cathy Sciascia (owners of Cartridge World,
Kyle
Nicholas (student and son of ESC member Nancy Nicholas): Kyle was observing the ESC meeting for a Boy
Scout requirement.
2009
Re-Organization: Bob Anckaitis opened there-organizational segment of the
meeting by explaining that any member, as long as not one of the co-chairs,
could, in the future, run the annual re-organization. Bob A. then asked for a motion to nominate
officers. Tom D. motioned and seconded
by N. Nicholas. Bob A. opened the floor
for nominations for co-chair. Tom D.
nominated Rob R. and Tom G., Nancy N. seconded the nomination, and was approved
by unanimous vote. Tom G. then opened
the floor for nominations for secretary.
Cindy O. nominated Chris B., seconded by Nancy N., and approved by
unanimous vote.
Approval of Minutes: September and October 2008 minutes could not
be approved because the minutes were not available at this meeting. The secretary will re-send for approval at
the March meeting.
Hauler Report: 1) Cindy O. reported that there are residents who
are not being billed for trash because of a glitch in the hauling contract
regarding less than 5 in a residential unit.
Dave Colver, Palmer BOS, made the decision not act at this time. Cindy O. explained that because of this,
Palmer is losing money. Tom G. was aware
that the codes and the contract don’t jibe and Bob A. was made aware of this
prior to the contract being ratified. 2)
Cindy O. also reported that during the 2nd week of January, there
were several resident complaints that Mascaro was putting Christmas trees into
the trash. Coincidentally, Cindy O.
reported that there was a significant decrease in trees at the recycling center
this year. Bob A. met with Mascaro who
has been made aware that Palmer expects their Christmas trees to be recycled as
per the hauling contract. Steve Tomsic
said that some of the trees were contaminated with decorations and could not be
recycled. 3) Cindy O. asked Steve T. to remind drivers not to back-up in
unsafe areas.
Palmer ESC Representation: Rob R. expressed a concern that the Palmer ESC
initiatives of 2008 have not moved forward because of lack of involvement by
elected representatives. Rob also
pointed out that the ESC is not represented on Palmer Zoning Commission, as is
quite standard for area Environmental Advisory Committees.
Recycling Coordinator Report: 1) Bob Lammi asked Cindy O. to ask the ESC to find
ways to bring recycling numbers up, as they have dropped off recently. Cindy O. asked that all members bring ideas
to the next meeting as well as consideration to forming an ESC Subcommittee on
this issue. 2) Cindy O. reported that
the EASD recycling program is up and running and gave thanks to Tom G. for
bringing this program to fruition. One
problem mentioned by Tom G. is contamination at some of the schools. He is working with each school to correct
this issue.
Old Business:
De-Watering of the Bushkill
Creek: Rob R. reported that
in September 2008, the Bushkill Creek dried up in Tatamy and there was a
massive fish kill from Tatamy to Penn Pump.
He cited the reason as Hercules not maintaining the water level in the
creek during maintenance. Because of
this incident, Hercules is on notice with the possibility of fines. Rob explained that, as a good faith gesture,
Hercules has purchased several houses that are sinking due to the mining
operations.
New Business:
County E-cycling Event The next event will take place on May 9th
at
Shredding Program: Chris .B researched shredding
programs and proposed that shredding could be offered at the next e-cycling
event on May 9th. Logistics
will be worked out at the next meeting.
Medication Collection Program: Tom D. announced that a program is in the
pipeline to collect all unwanted prescription drugs. It will be a 4-hour event that will be run by
Giant Foods pharmacies. Details to
follow.
YPA 2009: Rob R. asked all ESC members to look over the
YPA initiatives and be ready to discuss and put in order of priority at the
next meeting.
Announcements:
The Palmer BOS has asked Tom G.
and Rob R. to give a Palmer ESC update in April. All members are invited to attend. Details to follow.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, March 25, 7:00 PM, at
Adjournment: 9:10PM
Motion to adjourn made by Tom G., and seconded by Chris B.
Minutes submitted by Denise Veres
and Chris Briglia