Recycling & Sanitation Commission

Recycling and Sanitation Commission Minutes of the Monthly Meeting January 17, 2018 Commission Members and Others in Attendance: Pete Bowlus J A Burke (Representative of Mount Airy Messenger) Mike Dixon Peggy Fleming Ken Humble Shannon Mellott (Representative of J and J Trash Services) Tom Neff Jason Poirier (Council Liaison) Mary VanMetre (Town Staff) 1. Commission Member Mike Dixon called the meeting to order and led all in the Pledge of Allegiance 2. November 2017 minutes were approved with motion by Pete Bowlus; second by Tom Neff; motion carried. 3. Citizen's Comments a. Mary VanMetre presented a list of residents who had missed trash, Christmas tree and yard waste pick up. b. Four residents on the same street were missed. Mary advised the J and J office staff always says it is because the trash was not put out on time. c. the J and J crew that did the Christmas Tree pick up told a resident that they were not picking up yard waste; only Christmas trees. d. Councilman Poirier reported the trash cans are left in the middle of the street in his neighborhood. e. Ms. Mellott advised there was change in staff in the office. Also, Mt. Airy no longer has set drivers for the routes. They do for recycling, but not for the trash pickup. She felt this was some of the problem. She will advise Mr. Cavell. 4. Commission Elections a. Secretary: Pete Bowlus made a motion for Peggy Fleming to continue as Secretary; Tom Neff seconded and the motion carried. b. Chairman: Pete Bowlus made a motion for Tom Neff to be Chairman; Mike Dixon seconded and the motion carried. 5. Household Trash Limits (Ordinance 64-5) a. Discussion held regarding reducing the 120 gallon limit to 65 gallon to help to increase recycling and reduce landfill charges. b. 65 Gallon toters for town residents would cost approximately $172,972 c. Discussion was held regarding how cost effective changing the ordinance would be as residents would need to be educated on no street parking on pick up date due to using the truck with an arm. d. There is not a benchmark on how many households put out more than the 120 gallons per week. It was suggested the monthly landfill figures be provided for review. e. It was decided to do more education on recycling especially with the youth with the goal to increase recycling amounts. Also, perhaps to research composting. f. Jason suggested creating a new video; ask Ashley Collier to help and perhaps post to the Town face book page along with the Town website. Mary will research number of views on current video. g. There was a brief discussion of using white trash bags versus black trash bags due to the crows. 6. Bulk Collection a. Councilman Poirier ask if the Commission thought there should be two bulk pickups - spring and fall b. Pete Bowlus noted there is less and less to pickup due to scavengers, etc. He felt one in the spring was fine. c. J and J does not handle individual bulk pickup. d. Saturday, April 28 was decided as the Spring Bulk Pickup Date. Ms. Mellott will check and confirm if the date will work for J and J. e. No advertising until date confirmation. 7. Budget a. Mary VanMetre distributed the draft budget for review. b. Councilman Poirier suggested doubling the education budget to $5,000. All agreed. c. Shred Event - a discussion was held to determine if the Town should offer two shred events - Spring and Fall d. Commission decided to budget $2,000 for two shred and battery collection events. Mary VanMetre will contact the vendor for a spring date. 8. Meeting adjourned by Commission Member Mike Dixon. 9. Next Regular Meeting - March 21, 2018 @ 7 p.m. SUMMARY OF ACTION ITEMS: • Mary VanMetre to : Research number of views on current recycling video posted on Town Website Contact All Shred for a spring date. a. Mary has contacted All Shred and was given date of May 19th. She sent email for Commission members to advise if date works for them. Provide Monthly Landfill Numbers to determine how the trash "flows" • J and J to confirm April 28, 2018 date for Spring Bulk Pick up • Councilman Poirier to contact Ashley Collier regarding creating a new recycling video Peggy Fleming, Secretary