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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWaste Management Task Force, 1987 Adopted on August 31 , 1987 lid / � CHARGE TO THE WASTE MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE < 1 // WHEREAS The manner in which the Town of Lexington handlthe collection and disposal of its solid waste and household hazardous waster has become both a major environmental problem as well as a significant budget issue; and WHEREAS The Board of Selectmen believes that there are many new initiatives at both the local and state levels to deal separately or collectively with the issues of solid and household hazardous waste; and WHEREAS There now are state funding programs available to us in this area for well thought out or innovative programs; and WHEREAS The Town Meeting has shown continued strong support for past efforts in collection and disposal programs through budget appropriations ; and WHEREAS There is outstanding support and interest from the citizens of the Town through many advocacy groups; and WHEREAS The Town is fortunate to have a high level of expertise available to it in both its staff and volunteers; NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Selectmen's Waste Management Task Force be created to do the following I Develop comprehensive waste management programs for the town in the areas mentioned below - but not limited solely to these areas should other opportunities present themselves $ A RECYCLING In order to protect valuabe reusable resources and reduce the volume of trash sent fpr burning at NESWC, the Task Force will initiate a more aggressive local recycling program, within the bounds of current manpower and budget resources At the same time, the Task Force will investigate ways to improve local initiatives - and - closely monitor and assess the viability of becoming involved in state recycling programs B HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE Redesign and implement the FY88 Household Hazardous Waste pickup program to allow for a fall collection as well as explore innovations which may allow for more frequent collection and more cost effective collections C COMPOSTING Evaluate and implement if feasible ways to expand fall leaf disposal into a composting program that may prove useful and profitable to the Town D SOLID WASTE Although we are fortunate to have been forward thinking in this area and are part of NWSWC, changes and opportunities will present themselves in this rapidly developing industry, so the Task Force must monitor solid waste disposal problems and prospects - z - E EDUCATION There is a need to educate people to the benefits as well as the necessity to change our traditional ways of waste disposal The Task Force must work closely with the schools,' looal advocate groups, the media, and the state on educational opportunities F FEES Waste collection and disposal is one of the most rapidly growing areas of the budget The Task Force must be aware of the cost of programs as well as their benefits As they develop programs, fees to offset costs must be considered with a goal of keeping these pro- grams as revenue neutral as possible The Task Force must also be aggressive in its attempt to obtain state money where at all possible G STAFF Given the sophistication, expertise and enthusiastic support of key staff members of the Town Administration, the Task Force is to make use of these resources to the extent allowed by other constraints on staff time II ORGANIZATION The Task Force shall be comprised of a core group of six (6) , appointed by the Selectmen, with additional participation by interested citizens on specific issues (also appointed by the Board of Selectmen) The Task Force shall report semi-annually to the Board unless there is need to report on a specific issue They will also report in a timely way any recommendations that require appropriation of funds through the budget process The Chairman of the Task Force shall be picked by the Board of Selectmen One member of the Board of Selectmen shall act as liaison to the Task Force III DURATION Rather than pick members on a rotating basis, the Task Force shall oper- ate as organized until September 1 , 1990 unless it shall have been dissolved by the Selectmen at an earlier date or an extension is voted by the Selectmen August 31 , 1987