Recycling and Renewable Energy Committee

Minutes from 2 July 08, 5-6:30pm, Town Hall, Provincetown

 

Attending:  Mike Leger, Lee Bartell, Connie Black, Ghee Patrick, Jane Donoghue, David Gardner

 

Preceding Minutes:  Jane moved to accept the minutes, Connie seconded, 5/0.

 

It's Official:  Connie Black has been sworn in to be an Alternate on our Committee.

 

Plastic Bottles:  Their caps can be left on from now on.  Lee will let Barbara Mullaney, at the Banner, know to put that into our "Did you know that" little boxes.

 

Paper Recycling:  We had a long discussion about paper recycling, (not newspaper); how difficult it is for folks to "package" their paper, to contain it, and at the Transfer Station, how one must get out of a car to empty paper into the container.   Some have it in a plastic bag, which is not to go into the paper container.  Connie asked about the cardboard that's at the back of a sketch pad.  It's considered box board/paper, as it's not corrugated. It's so labor intensive for the DPW workers to move the paper from the truck that picked it up, to the container.  There are 2 pads where trash is now thrown?  If so, could one be for paper?  We need to find out.

 

Corrugated Cardboard Recycling:  Ghee wondered if cardboard could be separated into 2 categories; the good, thick, US product, and the thinner Asian version, as it used to be that the US one brought more money than the Asian.  We need to ask Integrated Paper Recyclers about this.

 

Our Dream Plan:  Jane suggested that we work out all that we hope to do and present it to David Guertin, and find out what it would cost.  Then take it to Town Meeting.  If it costs $40K total (just a guess) and the revenues are $25K, then it only cost us $15K, and Town Meeting might like the idea of all this recycling, all this green activity, for only $15.   Jane'll work on this over the summer, and we'll talk about it more in September.

 

Maushope:  They're getting closer to having it happen.  It's a work in progress, and they're building shelving for more blue bins.

 

Integrated Paper Recyclers:  Jane and Mike met with Christine Derosa, daughter of the owner, and got a lot of good, solid info.  The one-year anniversary was this week since they started, and they're pleased with the quality of our paper, so far.  

 

Mass Recycles Paper:  Mike showed us a copy of the resolution that the Selectboard signed, that encourages more recycling of paper state-wide.

 

Mass DEP bins:  Mike got our 5 "beach" mesh cans over to the Bas Relief for the Portuguese Festival.  Ghee will take one of those for behind her store, while it's not used anywhere else.  One of the new double cans is now where the buses stop by the Municipal parking lot.  The 2 others may go to the Library, and to near Bubala's.

 

Web Design:  Lee reported that the town is in the process of redesigning their website with a new program, that will let each committee edit their own page, rather than having to go to Beau or Doug for help.  Once it is up and running, we'll begin our page design.

 

FAA/MAC Airspace:  Mike reported that Mass  Aeronautics gave a thumbs up for a 250' wind turbine at the Transfer Station; it's a go, so far.  Next step would be to put up an 80' Met. tower to monitor wind.

 

PTV:  We discussed possible titles to the visit to Jeff Rogers' house and came up with "A Tour of a Green House", as the LEED certification will be explained in it.  Lee will let Catherine know what we decided.

 

Selectboard:  We had a long discussion about our relationship with the Selectboard.  We're working with Vern to give us a date in July when we can meet with them.  Ghee mentioned that Committee duties often aren't well defined, so that we get involved with an idea/project and run with it, but communication isn't always flowing to and fro us and the Selectboard.  Lee will ask Elaine Anderson if she will be our link to the Board.

 

Street Lights:  Connie asked if this can be put onto next month's agenda.  The goal is to have lights shed their light downward, towards the street, rather than up towards the sky.

 

Adjournment:  Lee moved to adjourn, Mike seconded it, 5/0.

 

Next Meeting:  Wednesday, 6 August, 5pm, Town Hall

 

Minutes by Lee

 

 

Lee Bartell
9 Seashore Park Drive
Provincetown, MA 02657

508-487-8838
capewoman@cape.com