Provincetown Recycling and Renewable Energy Committee Meeting

June 13, 2007

Town Hall Judge Welsh Room

 

Meeting called to order at 6:00 pm

 

Members present:

Michael Leger, Chairman

Amy Germain

Ghee Patrick

 

Staff present:

Jim Denietolis, DPW Liaison

Brian Carlson, Health Agent

 

Others:

Pam Parmakian, BOS

Heather Wishik, Cape Light Compact

 

Ghee motion to approve minutes of 5/16/07

Amy 2nd motion

All vote in favor, 3-0-0

 

6 Town Recycling Bins have been placed and pick-up has begun by the Barrels and Grounds crew of the DPW.  Bins are located at NY Ice Cream Store, end of McMillan Pier, Lopes Square, Old Library, Town Hall and Municipal Parking Lot (by Comfort Station).

 

Michael Leger gave a brief report on the seminar he attended on 5/18/07 at CCCC – Clean Energy for Schools and Towns – good resources.  He also reported on the Green Tourism Conference held at PAAM on 5/12/07.

 

Ghee Patrick informed committee that they had just completed a relighting project for their warehouse in collaboration with Cape Light Compact.  This is a low cost program where businesses can replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.  This program is free for non-profits such as the Community Center, Town Library and the Grace Goveia building.

 

Transfer Station Update:

Platform for paper compacting to be poured Friday or Monday.  Ronnie White to install additional power hook-up for compactor.

 

Press Release in Banner and mailing of new recycling pamphlet due sometime around the 2nd week of July after the old recycling company has been moved out and Integrated Paper has moved in.  Review and suggestions made for pamphlet draft.

 

Brief discussion on Swap Shop.  Are items thrown away too quickly?  Gate courtesy for Swappers to be raised as a concern.  Perhaps research into best practices for other swap shops.

 

 

 

Commercial Establishment Recycling:

Brian Carlson, Town Health Agent informs committee that Part 6, Section 3 of the Town Health Regulations require recycling by food service permit holders.  An addition of a recycling check will be added to the Health Inspector’s check list for future site checks.  Private trash haulers are also subject to recycling regulations and the Health Agent will send a notice to all local haulers to remind them of their obligation to recycle (rather than collect recyclables and subsequently include them with trash).  Fines can be imposed and local hauling permits can be revoked if recycling is not performed.

 

Discussion on public recognition for green business practices.  Either a sticker of a certificate could be issued to businesses.  Committee to  develop standards.

 

Conwell Lumber has opened a New England Green Building endeavor which will provide ready access to recycled, energy efficient or environmentally sound materials for commercial and private building needs.

 

Suggestion for access to PBG and Chamber of Commerce weekly newsletters for publicity regarding recycling and related issues.

 

Mike to send a request to Doug Johnstone, Town Clerk to request that 2 alternate committee members be voted by BOS to ensure quorum for meetings.

 

Ghee to email a request to Sarah Peake regarding refund/deposits to be required on water bottles.

 

 

Presentation/Discussion with Heather Wishik, Cape Light Compact:

  • Solarized School Project implemented in Provincetown
  • Application by CLC and Barnstable for a Municipal Electric Cooperative for IRS tax-exempt status to buy and sell power.
  • CIREC (Cape and Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative) upcoming seminars: 
    • 6/20 at CC Technical School in Harwich – Bringing Wind Home
    • 7/18 at Wellfleet Audubon Society – Climate Change
    • 9/19 Western MA Electric Cooperative
  • CIREC to meet with Town Manager in hopes of drafting an action plan
  • Cape Light Compact Programs
    • Vendor Miser Program:  CLC will install, free of charge for July and August, a device which can increase the energy efficiency/use of vending machines for an estimated savings of up to $200 per year.
    • Walk-In Cooler Program:  CLC will pay 80% and business will pay the remaining 20% to install adapter to increase the energy efficiency.
    • Commercial & Industrial Retro-Fitting Program:  This is the program Ghee reported on earlier.  Businesses need to cue up for next year’s grant.  CLC will pay 80% and business will pay the remaining 20%.
    • Preliminary walk-through of Town Hall.  John Burns has completed this preliminary audit of Town Hall.  CLC has a grant for 100% of expenses for municipal buildings up to $75,000 per project per year.
    • Residential Energy Audits:  CLC will perform energy audits and can provide 50/50, 60/40 or even 100% of costs for affordable housing projects.

 

Suggestions:

o       No-idle policy for town

o       Green Mt. coffee cups – recyclable for use in town businesses

 

 

Next meeting Wednesday, July 11th at 6 pm.

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.