Resource Recycling Advisory Council

Resource Recycling Advisory Commission Meeting of August 24, 2020 7:00 p.m. Via Webex Members Present: Stephan Allison, Chantel DeArmitt, Alison Johnson, Rebecca MacLachlan, Debbie Stanley, Krishna Winston. Members not present: Monica Belyea, Bessie Bianco, Harold Panciera. Members of the Public: Tisha Zawisky Public Works Staff Present: Kim O’Rourke, Recycling Coordinator Ms. Winston called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. Members introduced themselves via webex. Ms. MacLachlan made and Ms. Winston seconded a motion to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of February 24, 2020. All voted in favor except Mr. Alison and Ms. DeArmitt who abstained. Ms. MacLachlan made and Ms. Winston seconded a motion to approve the minutes from the July 27, 2020. All voted in favor except Ms. DeArmitt who abstained. Ms. O’Rourke followed up on the conversation from last month regarding the disposal of trash from the Sanitation District. The Mayor decided to move forward with the plan to contract with Murphy Road Recycling for the delivery of Sanitation District waste. The Deputy City Attorney will be drafting a contract. Ms. Winston said she would draft a letter to the Mayor expressing the concerns of this decision. These concerns include loss of control of where the waste goes, the possibility of the waste going to out of state landfills and the potential impact on environmental justice communities. Ms. O’Rourke said she is almost finished with the specifications for a RFP for food waste collection from restaurants and schools in the Sanitation District. She is hoping the proposal will go out in early September. In order for it to be considered, the pricing must be the same or less than trash. There are now 6 episodes of Recycling: It’s a Walk in the Park. These can be found on https://www.middletownct.gov/1139/Recycling-Presentations. They are posted on the Middletown Recycling and Public Works facebook and Channel 19. RiverCOG and Ms. O’Rourke agreed to have a fall compost bin and rain barrel sale. The distribution day will be Sunday, Oct. 18th from 9 -11 at Vet’s Park. Please spread the word! Ms. Winston discussed the Climate Change emergency declaration that will be brought to the Common Council Sept. 8th. Members discussed how to move forward with the Swap Shack. Ms. O’Rourke said she did go in the Shack with Chris Holden and it was not in bad shape. There was no obvious wetness or mold. The group decided now would be the best time to clear it out and move forward with getting a new building. Ms. O’Rourke said she would set up a day and time for emptying the building. Volunteers are needed for the HHW collection day on Oct. 3rd. Anyone interested should let Ms. O’Rourke know. Ms. Winston announced that with both Mrs. Hanson and Ms. Guy leaving, we need to find new members for the Commission. Anyone interested should let Ms. O’Rourke know. Members discussed the Zero Waste letter and felt they needed to read and digest it further. Ms. O’Rourke discussed the New DEEP CT Coalition for Sustainable Materials Management (CCSMM) which is a committee of municipal officials brought together to discuss the state’s trash problems. Middletown is planning on participating. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kim O’Rourke Kim O’Rourke Recycling Coordinator