Minutes
WELLFLEET RECYCLING COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Wellfleet Library Conference Room, 11 am
Members Present: Bethia Brehmer, Lonni Briggs, Jed Foley, Jane Sharp, Christine Shreves,
Charles Thibodeau, Lydia Vivante
Others Present: Kari Parcell (MassDEP/Barnstable County), Kathleen Bacon (Board of
Selectmen), Ronald Blair (Swap Shop Volunteer Coordinator)
Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Meeting called to order at 11:00 am.
MINUTES
1. Shop Issues from Kathleen Bacon (from Transfer Station staff & residents)
◦ Overflowing parking (25-30 cars) presents safety issues for workers and residents.
Orange cones or barricades may help.
◦ Volunteers could help verify resident stickers - cars don’t always stop at gate. (Not
deemed practical or reasonable for volunteers to check cars).
◦ Some volunteers cherry pick donations as they arrive for own use or AIM donation.
Some regular patrons take donations to flea market for resale.
◦ Furniture and mattresses should not be accepted, need better screening. Per Roland
not a big issues except a crib mattress that got in a while back.
◦ A Truro resident has a 2012 letter of permission to use Swap Shop, why?
◦ Discussed Swap Shop sticker, possibly as revenue stream. Not deemed practical to
enforce.
◦ Swap Shop could provide suggestions for furniture donation, construction goods
donations: Cape Abilities, Habitat for Humanity, Harriet Korim/capecool.org’s annual
sale?, others.
◦ Actions:
▪ Recycling Committee members are encouraged to volunteer at least monthly to
monitor issues. (All)
▪ Swap Shop Guideline update in progress - highlight policy for volunteer to wait until
end of shift to take items. (Lydia, Roland)
2. Public Space Recycling
◦ Per Kathleen, not on Selectmen agenda. RC can request to put on the agenda.
◦ Single Stream roll off container would require a concrete pad (per Paul Lindberg). Apply
for 2018 funding. Per Kari DPW could apply for grant starting in April, due June 14th.
◦ Actions:
▪ Investigate whether beach fee increase could be earmarked for recycling. Beach
fees go into the general fund. (? )
▪ Talk to Paul Lindberg about possible grant application to fund roll-off pad. (Lydia)
3. Committee Reorganization
◦ Motion to appoint Christine Shreves as Co-Chair. Passed unanimously.
◦ Motion to appoint Jed Foley Secretary. Passed unanimously.
4. Polystyrene Bylaw Fine Update
Joe Powers came to the August 1st meeting, although no quorum to hold meeting.
◦ Bylaw approved by state, but $400 third & after offense deleted since law caps fines at
$300. RC needs to submit housekeeping amendment at next town meeting to add back
in $300 third & after offense fine. Joe will remind RC before town meeting.
5. Fall Visit to Bourne Residential Recycling Center
Phil Goddard is contact (Manager of Facility Compliance & Technology Development) and
Lonni is organizing trip. Date set for October 24th at 10:30 am. We could invite Truro DPW
Director Jared Cabral, and perhaps Board of Selectmen.
6. Wellfleet Water Bottle Filling Stations
◦ Board of Water Commissioners is planning to restore/replace water fountain(s) in Town
Hall to start. Commissioners endorsed installing outdoor water fountain/refill stations.
◦ Kari can provide Falmouth draft proposal for filling stations as example for us.
◦ Beth will contact PTown RC for info on their project.
7. NIPs Deposit Bill, letter of support
Lydia presented draft letter of support from RC, which was accepted. Lydia will send letter
to State Senator Cyr.
8. Promoting Recycling Gift Fund: Discussion postponed. Christine will add to October
agenda.
9. 5 Gyres book tour/Oysterfest
5 Gyres has requested $600 for trip from Baltimore to participate in Oysterfest. They would
do presentation at library and promote Marcus’ book “Junk Raft”. SPAT has offered no cost
booth for them to educate/fundraise for 5 Gyres. Proposal to contribute from RC funds was
not endorsed. Jane Sharp generously offered to house them and contribute $100 for their
travel expenses. Bonnie Kramer has offered to contribute $50 for travel expenses, and
someone believes Jaya will contribute $60. That is total of $210. Christine will ask Friends
of Wellfleet Library if they may be able to contribute. Lydia will communicate with SPAT.
10.RC Green Tips insert for Fall Property Taxes
Lydia presented draft of insert, which was approved. Lydia will get final version to
Christine for printing and delivery.
11. Cape & Islands Solid Waste Professionals Quarterly Review (MassDEP/Barnstable Cty)
Kari asked for headcount: Lydia, Beth and Christine plan to attend.
Meeting adjourned at 12:30PM