ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
February 9, 2012 @ 7:00 pm
I.
CALL TO ORDER
Attendees: Walt Cressler (Chair), Brian Taussig-Lux, Vivian Williams, Adeline
Ciannella, Carla Wentworth, Brendan O’Riordan, Eric Stein (via conference call)
II.
ADMINISTRATIVE

Approval of January minutes – Approved with no further comments

Budget – 2012 Budget approved for $4500, $2500 to be used for
weatherization initiative

Open Floor: Paul Indorf of 339 W Fourth Street provided comments on 1)
the prevalence and proposed clean up of cigarette butts on State St and 2)
the disposal area behind Azie Restaurant on State St. Adeline advised Mr.
Indorf that the cigarette problem is currently being looked into. Walt
advised Mr. Indorf that the issue regarding Azie restaurant is a health
department issue and the matter would be forwarded accordingly.
III.
RECYCLING AND WASTE

MEDIA REAL ESTATE – Brian informed the Council that MRE has not
provided any response

HAULER LETTER/BUSINESS LETTER UPDATE – Letters expected to go out
February 10, 2012. The recycling reports are expected to go out at a later
date this year.

OCCUPANCY PERMIT UPDATE – The solicitor is drafting language to be
provided in the leases/occupancy permits regarding the permit process and
fines. Borough Council is agreeable to the proposed process and fines.

MBA RECYLCING INITIATIVE – Eric updated the Council that a survey is to
go out to the waste haulers regarding containers, cost of recycling and the
number of business expected to be involved in the initiative.

CURBSIDE COMPOSTING – Addie updated the Council that there are other
places that currently participate in curbside composting. The idea was
proposed to provide a link on the Borough website that directs residents to
educational pages regarding composting.

CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION – The Borough is unable to provide a one
time pick up of Christmas trees for recycling to local businesses.

IV.
NEW TRASH & RECYCLING BINS AND DOG WASTE STATIONS – Borough
Council approved the purchase of 6 new trash & recycling bins and 10 dog
waste stations
ENERGY

ANTI-IDLING SIGNS – The Solicitor has stated that signs regarding idling
may be posted in the Borough in order to educate.


The Council proposed researching where to post such signs as well as
possibly drafting letters to organizations regarding idling
TREEVITALIZE GRANT FOR HOUTMAN PARK – The Borough was granted a
$2500 grant to help out with the riparian buffer along the stream and for
planting of trees and shrubs
o The Council suggested drafting a petition to name the unnamed
tributaries and streams and involve the local schools as part of
environmental education.
V. WATER

RAIN GARDEN SIGN – The sign is expected to be posted in March, 2012.
VI. ENERGY

VII.

WEATHERIZATION INITIATIVE, $2500 ALLOCATION – Eric stated that the
EAC has been allocated $2500 as part of its budget to help residents with
saving energy. The EAC Energy Sub-Committee will meet to come up with
ways to assist residents and propose the ideas to the Council.
OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
WEBSITE – Karen has approval to revise the website regarding EAC and
Public Works matters.
VIII. ACTION ITEMS & ANNOUNCEMENTS


Vivian will:
o Research the process that USGS requires to see what needs to be
done to name/rename tributaries and streams
Addie will:
o Follow up regarding the anti-idling signs and letters
The Next Meeting Will Be Held On Thursday March 8, 2012 – 7PM