Palmer Township – EAC

Environmental Steering Committee Minutes - 5/27/09

 

Attendees:   Terry Cooper, Tom Dittmar, Tom Ganssle, Cindy Oatis, Rob Reese, Dave Sciascia

 

Guests:            Walt Witucki and son James

                        Ashley Waskow (Easton Area High School), Amanda Mason (EAHS),

      Claire Powers (EAHS) and Katarina Stefinides (EAHS)

                  Steve Tomsic – Mascaro representative

 

Meeting opened at:  7:06 PM

 

1.      Minutes Approval:  of April 22, 2009 approved  – (T. Dittmar, 2nd- D. Sciascia)

 

2.      J. P. Mascaro Issues:

-     Hauler Report – Steve Tomsic– no problems with yard waste pick-up week

      Submitted tonnage report & discussed complaint log – few complaints, one false

 

3.      Recycling Coordinator Report:

-     C. Oatis – was out in field for yard waste week – no gross violations but more

      recycle pick-ups during the year are needed.  The hauling contract will have to be

modified for more pick-ups.

-         T. Dittmar suggested an additional pick-up in spring

-         Cindy is applying for grants for recycling containers

 

4.      Old Business:

a.       Township website updated with changes suggested by ESC members.

b.      Recycling Center (Hartley) Steps to Yard Waste- Still in need of repair.  Both T. Dittmar & R. Reese noticed no changes the last time they visited.

            Rob will call Tom Adams

c.       BSC Hydrology Study – R. Reese will check with R. Lammi for update

d.      BSC attendance by BOS Officials – R. Lammi not present for comment

e.       E-Cycling Event of May 9th at EAHS- 54,164 lbs. collected this year vs. 64,000 lbs. last year.  Less cars passed through this year and 2 trucks were filled but packed tighter.  Last year 4 trucks were filled but skits not packed as high.

      - EAHS students present suggested more advertisement before event

      - T. Dittmar stated that Tom Marshall held an e-cycling event in Bethlehem shortly after ours

f.        T. Ganssle & R. Reese reported specifics of their presentation to Palmer BOS on May 9th.  C. Oatis mentioned that T. Dittmar and her will provide their presentations to the BOS on July 15th.

g.       Tree Tenders Training – T. Ganssle & R. Reese spoke of their April 4th training with Bob Vanhorn from the township

      - T. Dittmar reported that the actual planting of the trees in the township has been postponed until the autumn.

 

5.      New Business:

a.   Compost Seminar - T. Dittmar – will be held Sept. 12, 2009 at 9:00 AM at Hartley Avenue Recycling Center

- Cindy will contact J. Stoneback to place article in Palmer Newsletter.  She also mentioned that there is no grant money from state for more earth machines and there are only 30 left.

 

      b. Earth Day 2010 – R. Reese mentioned setting up table a Palmer Mall as in past

 

      c. Community Weekend – T. Ganssle suggested a subcommittee form as last year

            - Volunteers: T. Dittmar, C. Oatis, T. Cooper, D. Sciascia, T. Ganssle, R. Reese

            - First meeting before regular meeting- June 10th at 6:30 PM in Library                

            - C. Oatis – suggested highlighting history as this year’s theme: where we were/where we are now concentrating on what we do well

            – Cindy also suggested showcasing local churches and businesses that are turning green.  Pictures could be taken of businesses & blown-ups on poster boards could be displayed

            - The following were ideas suggested by members of the committee and guests:

            – Displaying Palmer’s waste reduction figures, hazardous waste pick-up day, etc.

            - PESC history & timeline – R. Reese mentioned that BOS minutes on Palmer’s website could be used to do the research

            - games – toss bean bag for prizes

            - give out seed packets

            - Take donations to plant a tree - Tree tenders effort

            - display live animals affected by pollution & show pictures of their damage

            - Native plant seminar – have trees on sight (using indigenous plants)

            - Master gardeners to speak

            - Slide show or speaker on stage – downtime between band sets – demonstrations could be performed on stage for rain barrel, earth machines, etc.

             - Cindy’s turf consultant husband, or other such speakers

             - Magic show – pay with funds we use for electric lawn mower – magic show theme on recycling

             - Talk on reducing or eliminating plastic bag use

 

Motion to adjourn: T. Cooper, 2nd- . T. Dittmar - . 8:11 PM

 

Prepared by T. Ganssle  6/3/09