Resource Recycling Advisory Council

Resource Recycling Advisory Commission Meeting of April 22, 2019 Middletown Senior Center, 7 PM Members Present: Izzy Guy, Robin Hanson, Alison Johnson, Rebecca MacLachlan, Debbie Stanley, Krishna Winston. Members not present: Monica Belyea, Bessie Bianco, Chantel DeArmitt, Harold Panciera Member of the Public Present: None Public Works Staff Present: Kim O’Rourke The meeting was called to order at 7:07 pm. The minutes of the March meeting were approved as presented. Recycling Coordinator Report Compost Bin Sale Report - Kim O’Rourke reported on the compost bin distribution on March 31. The City of Middletown and the RiverCOG sold over 100 bins together. The Town of Durham purchased about 35 to sell at their transfer station. The next distribution is being planned for September. The City of Hartford may possibly participate. Shred Event Report – 163 cars came to the shredding event on April 13. This is slightly up from previous years. The location worked out well. Members asked if we could collect clean shredded paper at the recycling center. The Recycling Coordinator has looked into this, and she was not able to find something at no charge. She is still looking at other avenues. Repair Café – The next Repair Café is scheduled with the Rockfall Foundation for Sunday, 9/22/19. (NOTE: since this meeting, this date has changed to Saturday, 9/21/19). Radio Shows – The Recycling Coordinator reported she participated in the Rockfall Foundation’s All Things Green radio show on ICRV and Don DeCesare’s Best of the Valley Shore Show on WMRD. Recycled Materials Workshop Report – Chris Holden and Kim O’Rourke attended a workshop at DEEP to learn more about using compost, glass aggregate and tires in road projects. Unfortunately much of what was suggested is not allowed in CT. April/May Outreach – Ms. O’Rourke has several events scheduled for the next couple months. These include presentations at the East Haddam Lions Club, several preschools, the Chamber of Commerce, MHS, Keigwin, and Russell Library. She will be attending the Recycling Partnership workshop in Amherst MA on May 7 & 8. She asked if anyone is interested in tabling at the Kids Health Fair on 5/18. She is unable to attend that event. Chairman’s Report Ms. Winston said we should contact Monica and ask her about the buttons. Ms. O’Rourke said a group did try to make buttons with Monica one evening but the button maker was missing a part. She will follow up. Ms. Winston said she also noticed at Wesleyan recyclables are being put in plastic bags. She is going to follow up with the Sustainability Committee. Swap Shack April 24 Krishna April 27 OPEN May 1 Debbie May 4 Robin May 8 Izzy May 11 Krishna May 15 Izzy Next meeting: May 20. Ms. Winston said we need more housewares at the Swap Shack. Reusable Bag Ordinance The reusable bag ordinance has passed on April 1s. Kim is organizing a group of individuals interested in outreach activities. She encouraged members to attend. Members talked about having a workshop to teach people how to sew bags or make bags out of pet food bags. New Businesses Ms. Winston announced there will be two workshops on the ten year plan of conservation and development. Hopefully people will attend and participate. She also announced Professor Brian Stewart will be giving his annual Earth Day Talk on May 20 at 6:30 pm. Members decided to cancel the May meeting in order to let members go if they like. There will also be a Green New Deal Community forum on April 24 at 6pm. The meeting adjourned at 8:15pm. Respectfully submitted, Kim O’Rourke Kim O’Rourke Recycling Coordinator