Solid Waste Removal & Recycle Committee Meeting Minutes
Solid Waste Removal and Recycle Committee Meeting Minutes – July 20, 2022
Members present: Ron Morales, Dan Guilmette, Rob Caron and Bud Staples
Attendees: Pete Lachapelle (WM)
Chairman Ron called the meeting to order at 4:04PM with all members present.
In reviewing the Q2 MSW and Recycle report, Ron mentioned the Blended Value rate of credit to our processing fee was trending over $100/ton (budget was $75/ton) leaving the cost of recycled tonnage at approximately $50/ton. This compares favorably to our solid waste tonnage fee of $87.32/ton.
The Committee reviewed the issues caused by the late WM Trash, Recycling, Collection Services 2022-2023 flyer approval, printing and mailing that occurred just before the Bulk Waste pickup date. Instead of starting the flyer revision at our January meeting, Pete (WM) suggested it be done at the Committee’s October meeting so as to be completed at the January meeting with plenty of time left for distribution. The Committee unanimously agreed to his suggestion.
We reviewed the Bulk Waste tonnage pickup of 5.41 tons vs. the 10.62 tons picked up in May 2021. Ron gave credit to Pete for suggesting the limitation of free items and putting a sticker program together for additional items. This has substantially reduced Bulk Waste tonnage costs that were mostly caused by dumping from commercial and other area town interests.
Three addresses were reportedly missed by WM during the Bulk pickup and two addresses were missed on multiple trash and recycle pickup days. Pete noted that he would add “Hot Spots” that would be notices to drivers during pickup runs in areas previously missed on trash and recycle pickup days.
Discussions took place regarding placing Notices for the upcoming Bulk Waste pickup on Sept. 19th and the White Goods/Electronic Waste pickup on Oct 17th. Sticker sales would continue to be sold and recorded at the Town Clerk’s office.
A review of our budgeted expenses showed that we are on target through May with 63% of the yearly budget remaining. The June report had not been received prior to our meeting. The Town received a FSC Adjustment letter for diesel fuel that will increase costs compared to our contract price by $546.12/month for the last 6 months of 2022. This represents an increase of $394.91 over what we had been paying as a FSC adjustment during the previous 6 months. When we were discussing the latest tonnage rate increase for the last six months of the year, Pete mentioned that it would continue through the remaining contract period. The Committee disagreed and said this was discussed at the previous meeting as only being in effect through Dec. 2022. Ron stated that the agreed upon price increase through December 31, 2022 needs to be documented with an Amendment to the Contract.
Pete provided several updated pages on what could be recycled, how to recycle, and how markets use recycled waste to convert to useable products. These will be updated on the Town’s website. Pete also provided WM’s “Additional Toter Report” as of Jan. 2022 that shows addresses where MSW and Recycle Toters were added. The report keeps track of all MSW and Recycle Toter quantities along with monthly costs to the Town for each type of pickup.
Pete again invited members of the Committee to ride along during the recycle pickups and said he would reschedule our field trip to the Rochester facility when all members are available.
Ron Motioned to adjourn the meeting, with a Second from Dan.
Meeting adjourned at 4:45PM.Respectfully submitted,
William (Bud) Staples, Recording Secretary