ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES Attending: Walt Cressler, Vivian Williams, Taylor Gregory, Brendan O’Riordan, Addie Ciannella, Brian Taussig-Lux January 12, 2012 @ 7:00 pm I. ADMINISTRATIVE November minutes approved unanimously Welcome to new member Brendan O’Riordan Announcement about EAC Conference, 3 March, Pottstown, PA. New members are especially encouraged to attend. 2012 Goals and Objectives. The following items were suggested: o Being involved in the Comprehensive Plan process o Working with Council to increase commercial recycling o Working with Council to encourage weatherization in Borough houses o Launching the Waste Vegetable Oil project o Working with Council on a plan to reduce litter o Exploring curbside composting Comprehensive Plan o Walt announced that the Borough has received a $70,000 grant to redo the Comprehensive Plan. Walt will prepare the annual report for 2011 II. RECYCLING AND WASTE Christmas trees are picked up and composted at the same facility that composts leaves. Compost is available at the Marple Transfer Station on Reed Road. Addie plans to schedule a meeting with Chris Peretti to meet with the recycling committee. Our initial intent would be to understand what he is doing and to see if there is a way EAC could support these and/or other similar projects regarding curbside composting. Jeffry Cadorette of Media Real Estate has not responded this month to Addie or Brian’s requests regarding a commercial and a residential pilot recycling project. The committee expressed frustration at MRE’s apparent lack of progress since their meeting with him in July 2011. III. Small apartment building recycling was discussed. Various ideas were proposed to encourage residents to obtain recycling barrels from the borough. It was agreed that a newsletter article in this regard would be helpful. Suggested language: “If you take out a trash can, you should take out a recycling barrel.” Karen is working to send out the annual recycling reports to businesses. She is also working on a press release regarding the recycling decal. Taylor expressed concern that 10-20 Xmas trees were seen at Produce Terminal Market in the trash area. She asked if the Borough could pick these up for composting in future years. TRANSPORTATION and LAND USE Electric Vehicle Recharging Station ribbon cutting is scheduled for 1/18/12, 12:30 p.m., Media Fire Station Walt announced that the Borough has been awarded a grant for $200,000 to rehabilitate Houtman Park. A separate grant from PECO for $7,500 has also been awarded. Plans include installing an ADA compliant bridge, an ADA compliant observation deck, installing benches, removing invasive species, etc. IV. WATER V. The EAC unanimously approved $85 for design costs associated with a Rain Garden sign. ENERGY Programmable thermostats have been installed in the Borough building. They have not yet been programmed and no one has yet been trained in their use. This should occur within the next few weeks. Energy efficient parking garage lights and occupancy sensors should be installed within two weeks. Eric Stein has proposed a weatherization initiative with a $2500.00 allocation from Council. Eric Stein has proposed a residential renewable energy meeting. VI. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION VII. Walt expressed frustration that the web site was not yet optimized for EAC content. Further conversations with Eric are planned to address these shortcomings. ACTION ITEMS Vivian will discuss web site issues, anti-idling sign, and liaison communication concerns with Eric Stein. Addie will ask Karen whether MRE and other commercial/residential landlords receive recycling letters and reports. Brian will ask Eric to study the feasibility of fining businesses that do not recycle. Addie will contact Chris Peretti regarding a conference call with the recycling committee. Brian will pay PEC membership. Brian will ask Brian Hall about the feasibility of picking up Xmas trees at the Produce Terminal Market after Xmas 2012. The Next Meeting Will Be Held On Thursday, February 9, 2012 – 7PM