Resource Recycling Advisory Council

Middletown Resource Recycling Advisory Commission Regular Meeting October 25, 2021 Members Present: Stephan Allison, Alison Johnson, Rebecca MacLachlan, Eleanor Nettleton, Krishna Winston. Members Not Present: Chantal DeArmit, Debbie Stanley, Lydia Wolfe, Tisha Zawisky Members of the Public Present: Jeff Myjak, Bob Westendorff Staff Present: Kim O’Rourke, Recycling Coordinator The meeting was called to order at 7:04 pm by Chairman Winston. Ms. Winston asked for public comments. Mr. Myjak asked if black plastic trash bags could be included with the plastic film recycling drop-offs. Ms. O’Rourke said that as far as she knows, so long as the bags are clean and dry, they are acceptable, but she would check with the plastic- film representative to confirm. She said she had checked the website and not seen any exceptions to the type or color of plastic bags accepted. The Minutes of the regular meeting of Sept 27, 2021 were accepted as presented. Ms. O’Rourke updated the Commission on food-waste collections, a potential glass drop-off, recycling in the schools, current recycling prices, and progress on submitting an application for the state DEEP SMM grant. Ms. Johnson addressed the desirability of having school cafeterias use washable trays rather than disposables for the last wave of students. She felt an extra appropriation from the BOE or perhaps from American Rescue Plan funds, could be used to pay for staff to wash the trays and eliminate the environmental impact of disposables. Ms. Winston said there was a committee meeting to discuss how to use the funds Middletown had received under the American Rescue Plan, but these meetings had not been well publicized. She said she would try to learn more about them in the interest of having public input. Mr. Myjak asked about the Middletown Sustainability Team and Ms. Winston responded with an explanation of the group’s informal status, saying that the Mayor had met a number of times with the Team and it was hoped he would attend the November meeting. She announced that due to Ms. Kleindienst’s stepping down, she had volunteered to lead the group. She felt that in light of the climate crisis it was vital to rethink previous assumptions about and procedures for constructing the City’s annual budgets. Ms. Winston reviewed the draft signage for the Swap Shack that she had shared with the Commissioners. One page was a general sign with instructions for using the Shack. She had also drafted labels indicating the categories accepted and their placement. She said she was particularly eager to have reactions to and suggestions for the tone of the signage. The tone she had hoped to achieve would be friendly but firm, making it clear that certain items and conditions of items that were not acceptable, such as anything dirty, broken, ugly, or useless. Ms. Winston also discussed the lean-to area. This area should include clear signage stipulating what would be accepted. The interior of the building is finished. Ms. Winston indicated that she planned to stain the shelves to protect the wood against dampness. Mr. Allison and Ms. MacLachlan offered help. Ms. O’Rourke said she was working on getting electricity, preferably lighting on a sensor, so it would not stay on when no one was inside. Ms. Winston noted that once the shelves had been stained and stocked, an opening ceremony with the Mayor could be scheduled, if possible no later than mid- November. Members reviewed the events of the fall. Participation was lower in all activities, but they were still very successful. These included the sale of compost bins and rain barrels, household hazardous waste collection, the repair café and swap, and the paper shred event, as well as a number of several educational outreach activities. Ms. O’Rourke reviewed her conversations with the non-profit organization Rescuing Leftover Cuisine. This organization is interested in working in Middletown to connect leftover food with people who need it. New Business: Ms. MacLachlan asked if she could promote the Randolph Road food-waste drop-off to her neighbors. She would like to hand out information to encourage them to use the site. Everyone encouraged her to move forward with this idea. Mr. Allison made and Ms. Nettleton seconded a motion to adjourn at 7:55 pm. Respectfully submitted, Kim O’Rourke Kim O’Rourke Recycling Coordinator