Recycling & Sanitation Commission

Recycling and Sanitation Commission Minutes of the Monthly Meeting September 15, 2021 Commission Members and Others in Attendance: Kathy Balderson Pete Bowlus J A Burke (Representative of Mount Airy Messenger) Mike Dixon Stephen Domotor (Council Liaison) Peggy Fleming Tom Neff (Chairman) Mary VanMetre (Town Staff) Ken Humble was not in attendance. 1. Commission Chair Tom Neff called the meeting to order and Pete Bowlus led the Pledge of Allegiance 2. July 2021 minutes were approved with motion by Kathy Balderson; 2nd by Mike Dixon; Motion carried 3. Citizen's Comments a. Mary noted several new houses in Brittany Manor had been missed for trash pickup. She notified J and J and it has been resolved 4. J and J Comments/Concerns a. J and J was not in attendance 5. 2022 Shred/Battery Event a. The date will be Saturday, April 2, 2022. b. After discussion it was decided to advertise as Residential in Messenger and the Town's Social Media sites c. Mary will contact to see if a second truck is available on April 2, 2022 d. Pete Bowlus noted St. James Church is doing a residential shred event Saturday, September 18 6. Spring Bulk Pickup a. Mary advised J and J can provide dumpsters for the Spring Bulk Pickup (no price/no date) b. Further discussion will be at the January meeting 7. Town Dumpster Complaints a. Per Mary another incident happened since last meeting with trash within the area b. Tom Neff had been in area and asked J and J staff if there was issue with recycling and it happened they had a large carton with Styrofoam still inside which is not recyclable. c. Mary advised the center had been setup for 1 trash dumpster and 2 recycle dumpsters; due to increased trash, Mary contacted J and J and requested 2 trash dumpsters and 1 recycle dumpster. d. Mary noted we contracted for pickup three times a week and J and J has only been picking up twice a week - she will follow up e. Appears a restaurant is using the area and they should have their own dumpsters f. Need to clarify if downtown events have use of the downtown recycling center (Noted in Sept. 2017 minutes that any downtown event would handle their own trash) 8. Drug Take Back Day - Saturday, October 23, 2021 a. We will participate in the Fall drug take back day b. Tom Neff and Mike Dixon will do the yard signs around town c. Councilman Domotor will request the Town's electronic signs to advertise the event d. Volunteers to work: Councilman Domotor; Pete Bowlus, Peggy & Tom Fleming 9. J and J Price Increase Request a. J and J requested price increase of $1.75 per unit for residential and commercial trash and $1.25 per unit for both residential and commercial recycling b. The contract and price increase were reviewed by town staff and found to be in line. It will be a total increase of $5,555.50 for the next 8 months. c. Mary will need to check with Accounting to determine if there are enough funds in the budget to cover the increase; if not, then a budget amendment would be requested d. After discussion, the Commission voted to accept the price increases. 10. Recycling Toters a. Mary advised there are approximately 30 toters in Storage and Brittany Manor is still under construction. b. Additional toters will need to be ordered. She will check the cost and the minimum quantity to be ordered. c. Peggy suggested contacting Frederick County to see if we could piggy back on one of their orders. 11. Member Pete Bowlus asked Councilman Domotor if he could include in his Town Council report upcoming yard waste dates, remind the residents of ordinance regarding blowing leaves and yard clippings in the street, and upcoming events. It was noted perhaps the Commission could put recycling literature in the Welcome Bags that the EDC is doing for new residents. 11. Council Liaison Report a. Stephen Domotor reported a couple of ordinances and resolutions were presented at the September council meeting; Annexation of Rigler Property; Beck property - MXD zoning, changes to AFPO for MXD properties, Brighter Future Small Business Grant (Cap of $10,000 per applicant), 5G towers b. American Rescue Plan Funds - it was decided that funds will be used to update and replace water meters at cost of $900,000. The funds will no longer need to come from the Water and Sewer budget. c. Reimbursement to elected officials for classes for professional development up to $1,000 per official d. Policy adopted regarding town officials not having access to post on the Town's social media platforms. e. Police Ride Along - Councilman Domotor reported on his police ride along from 5 pm to 1 am and said it was a learning experience. He observed a drug arrest which he reported was very educational. f. Flat Iron Building - public hearing was before the council meeting listing 10 options. The Council is to vote at the October meeting. g. Safety on Main Street - Councilman Domotor reported his goal is to improve safety on Main St. and it was at the top of the latest survey. The police department is doing speed monitoring and the police chief is reporting the number of citations being given along Main St. 10. Meeting adjourned with motion by Pete Bowlus and seconded by Kathy Balderson. 11. Next Regular Meeting – November 17, 2021 @ 7 p.m. SUMMARY OF ACTION ITEMS: • Mary VanMetre Check with All-Shred for second truck for April 2, 2022 Check on price and minimum quantity for recycle toters Check with J and J regarding number of pickups for downtown recycle center Check with Town staff regarding fixing the doors to the Downtown Recycling Center Check with Town accounting staff on the budget to see if a budget amendment might be needed to cover the increase costs from J and J • Stephen Domotor – Secure the Town electronic signs to advertise Drug Take Back Day • Tom Neff Check Downtown Recycling Center after Wednesday's Farmer's Market Contact Councilwoman Reed regarding plan for trash pickup for the September 25 Oktoberfest Check with town staff regarding trash disposal for downtown events (Discussed with Ashley Collier in September 2017) • Peggy Fleming Check the number of drug take back yard signs (We have 25 yard signs) Peggy Fleming, Secretary