1/25/2012 RECYCLING COMMITTEE Minutes

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Recycling Committee January 25,2012 Minutes Members Present: June Levy, Sheldon Gilbert, Marion Baker, Chuck Gasior Others: Mike Richardson, Selectman Don Myers Jon Leavitt Catherine Laurent, DPW quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.. Minutes The minutes from.the October 6, 2011 meeting were approved. PAYT Discussion The Committee reviewedSandwich's statistics from the first 6 months of their PAYT program. The trash collected at their Transfer Station decreased by 767 tons compared to the prior year and recycling increased.by 283 tons. Some residents did switch to-private haulers; the teas collected by private haulers increased by 356 tons.- The Sandwich program may not be perfect but it is working. The program is not an Enterprise Fund so the tax base does currently subsidize their Transfer Station operation. The Committee noted that the Selectmen voted to increase the lashpee Transfer Station permit fee for FY 13 to $110. Chuck clarified that the fee is not a tax but an optional service fee.. Tion commented that the cost to each resident includes not only this permit fee but also the portion of the Transfer Station budget subsidized by taxes. Likewise, if a resident uses a hauler for trash collectlon, they are not only paying this cost but also a cost for operation of the Transfer Station. The Committee reviewed the Board of Selectmen's solid waste goals. The goal to increase recycling has been achieved., although not to an amount satisfactory to the Committee. The goals to reduce trash and cost have not been achieved. The Committee reviewed a draft PAYT program with individual household casts for FY 13 and FYI 5 when the disposal costs are expected to double at a minimum. The Committee also reviewed a"Status Quo" program with individual household costs for F 13 and F 15. Mike mentioned that the latter does not include the cost currently incurred for purchasing trash bags (Hefty, etc.). Enterprise Fund Don explained that with an Enterprise Fund, all costs associated with solid waste would be paid through this fund. Revenue collected has to equal the costs incurred. 1f the fund is in deficit at the end of the fiscal year, the deficit would have to be paid from certified free cash. If the fund ends with a balance, the additional monies can be left in the fund for future year costs including capital costs or it can be transferred to the Town's General Fund. Don has submitted a petition article for the May Annual Town Meeting requiring the establishment of an Enterprise Fund by