07/09/2024 TSC Minutes

Transfer Station Committee Working Session

July 9, 2024, 6 p.m.

Bethlehem Public Library

Minutes by Chris Jensen

 

Present: Nancy Strand, Andrea Bryant, Julie Seely, Paul Karpawich (Zoom), Barry Zitser (by phone) and Chris Jensen

 

There was admiration and a discussion about Mr. Zitser’s memo suggesting how the U.S.D.A. plan recommended by Aries Engineering could be trimmed to reduce the cost.

 

Possibilities ranged from reducing the number of loading bays, windows and doors to a smaller building (40X40 versus 40X80).

 

Mr. Karpawich wondered about the need for an enclosed building, saying 90 percent of the Amherst transfer station is open with various containers arranged so that there is a good traffic flow. He said that winter does not adversely affect the operation and reducing the size of the building seems like a good move.

 

Ms. Strand raised the issue of how to store recyclables if the town wanted to wait for better prices to maximize revenue. She said Littleton reportedly has a problem with not having enough storage. She also expressed a concern that equipment such as a baler be protected from the weather.

 

It was noted that Aries Engineering had developed a good plan, but that was based on the likelihood of getting a substantial, federal grant. That led to a discussion about visiting other transfer stations to see how they operate with more modest facilities.

 

Committee members then agreed to visit different transfer stations from towns of similar size and ideally photograph or video their operations.

 

The meeting ended about 7 p.m.

 

The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, August 19^th.