HomeMy WebLinkAboutWaste Management Task Force, 1987 Adopted on August 31 , 1987
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CHARGE TO THE WASTE MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE <
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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