Palmer Township EAC – Meeting Minutes

Environmental Steering Committee                                                                                    April 22, 2009

              

Attendees: Rob Reese, Tom Ganssle, Cindy Oatis, Chris Briglia, Nancy Nicholas, Robert Lammi, Tom Dittmar

 

Meeting opened at:  7:03 PM

 

Guests:  Steve Tomsic (Mascaro Hauling): Steve was present to present the Mascaro Hauling report.

Ken Waldrich:  Potential new member

 

Approval of Minutes:  1) Revised September 2008, October 2008 and Revised February 2009 minutes were approved unanimously.

 

Hauler Report:  1) Steve Tomsic reviewed several complaints from customers regarding pick-up issues.  2) Cindy O. expressed her concerns regarding Mascaro’s deficiencies during the yard waste and Christmas tree pick-up.  She also mentioned that the Township citizens and officials are also very concerned and stressed the need for improvement. 3) Tom D. suggested advertising the yard waste pick-up well ahead of time for the specific pick-up week.  4) Bob L. strongly recommended a news press release for yard waste pick-up notification.  5) Steve Tomsic suggested that the Township amend the next hauling contract to allow for yard waste pick-up from April through October. 6) Rob R. discussed compensation from Mascaro for the deficiencies noted during the Christmas tree pick-up.  Steve Tomsic mentioned that he could not do anything about it and that Rob R. should contact Steve’s superiors at Mascaro to discuss the issue further.

 

Recycling Coordinator Report:  1) Cindy O. mentioned that Dave S. submitted a quote for 1,000 brochures for $250.00 regarding recycling information for Township businesses.  2) Cindy O. suggested offering a comprehensive recycling/waste survey for Township citizens to complete during the Community Day event and/or at the Township web site.  3) Cindy O. mentioned a website called WWW.Recyclebank.com and praised its merits as a point system that offers incentives for recycling such as coupons for products, services and restaurants.

 

Old Business: 1) Rob R. mentions the necessary repair of the stairs at the recycling center when the weather permits. 2) Rob R. mentioned the distribution of the flood study for the Bushkill Creek and Bob L. said he would check on the status of its distribution.  3) The ESC reviewed the Township Website. Tom G. and Cindy O. offered comments to Bob L. as far as light revisions and general overall improvement of the web site layout and function.

 

New Business:

 

Tree Tenders Training 4/4:  Rob R. & Tom G. attended this training class to enable the Township to obtain State grant funds.

 

West Ward/Easton EAC Recycling Bin Distribution 4/09:  Rob R. mentioned the program had been cancelled.  A clean-up will take place next week.

 

Earth Day/Week/Arbor Day 2009:  1) Cindy O. discussed prioritizing recycling events for earth day next year.

 

Official Representation at meetings:   1) Tom G. mentioned the need for volunteers for the Township BOS meeting on May 4, 2009.  Tom D. volunteered.  2) Rob R. further mentioned the need for Township Official(s) to be present at the next BSC meeting. 3) Rob R. & Bob L. discussed the LVPC meeting to be held on May 13, 2009.  Issues such as steep slopes, riparian rights and others will be discussed.

 

Bob L. suggested that when builders (home & commercial) get a Township permit, they should be given recycling information due to the generation of cardboard, building materials, etc. from building sites.

 

Bob L. is looking for candidates for the Township BIP Recycling Award.  He mentioned Porsche as being very green with their operations.  Rob R. mentioned Acopian as also a very good candidate.

 

Rob R. mentioned that there is a solar panel demo set up at the Chrin Community Center.

 

E-cycling Event   1) The next event will take place on May 9th at Easton Area High School from 9 AM to 2 PM.  Tom D. is looking for ESC members to help with directing traffic at this event.  Tom D. mentioned that volunteers should be on-site at 8:30am. 2) Chris B. was designated to solicit local businesses for donations of refreshments for the volunteer workers during the event.  Tom G. offered his assistance.

 

Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 PM, at Palmer Municipal Building.

 

Adjournment:   8:25pm motion to adjourn meeting.

 

Minutes submitted by Chris Briglia April 29, 2009