10/28/2025 SWG Minutes

Minutes of the October 28, 2025 Meeting of the Sustainability Working Group

 

The meeting commenced at 4:05 PM, with all four participants, Bruce Caplain, Barry Zitser, Andrea Knowles, and Paul Karpawich, participating via video conferencing.

Barry read the Mission Statement:

“The purpose of the Sustainability Working Group (“Group”) is to facilitate, educate and enable residents, businesses and municipal entities on economic, environmental, and socially sustainable practices so humans and nature can exist in productive harmony for present and future generations, while collaborating with others when appropriate.”

There was no public input.

Barry provided an update on the free waste assessments provided by the Center for EcoTechnology (CET) to Bethlehem food establishments. He is currently working with CET in follow-up emails to provide solutions to waste challenges provided by, or identified with, the food establishments visited. He noted that CET may schedule another visit for the near future, and that a video conference is being held with Rek lis tomorrow, as a result of a last minute conflict that did not allow for the previously scheduled visit. CET’s representative, Emma Sabella, also expressed an interest in providing a free waste assessment to Bretton Woods and the Littleton Regional Hospital. Bruce noted that he has high level contacts with both institutions, and Barry stated he would get in contact with Emma to see if she would like him to make initial contacts. Paul also noted an interest in attending such assessments if they are arranged. Bruce suggested that perhaps the Group could create a tear sheet of recommendation for other businesses that would highlight standard and proven ways to reduce waste and needless landfilling. Barry noted that a number of such recommendations are already published on CET’s website, and after the follow-ups with Bethlehem’s assessments, he could write such a draft sheet for publication.

Barry noted that a major shortcoming in waste management by The Colonial Theatre was the poor collection of recyclables. Currently, The Colonial does not have a hauler to pick up recyclables. CET is working on connecting The Colonial with such a hauler. Barry noted that The Colonial currently does not have good bins to facilitate the separation of recyclables from solid waste. He suggested that perhaps three dual compartment bins might allow for better collection and separation, and that CET could provide the labeling for such bins. He inquired whether the Group might want to donate up to $300 to purchase such bins, conditioned on The Colonial having firm plans for diverting such recyclables from landfilling. While Barry noted some recent federal and state grant cuts to The Colonial, it is not clear that the financial condition of The Colonial is the barrier to having better recycling. Barry suggested that the matter be deferred until it is determined that The Colonial has firm plans for diverting recyclables from landfilling.

Barry noted that Our Town News had published an article on the Group’s partnership with the Littleton Co-op in promoting a sustainable plant-based, non-plastic laundry detergent. The promotion is going well, and he suggested that perhaps Bruce Etter could discuss another sustainable promotion with the Co-op in the future.

Bruce noted the plastic littering that has been occurring as a result of plastic temporary lane markers that are used by the Department of Transportation during repaving of roads. At one recent repaving, Bruce picked up dozens of pieces of plastics that were left on the sides of the road. He volunteered to draft a letter, for signing and mailing by Barry, to bring this problem to DOT’s attention, and to inquire whether DOT has considered alternatives that will have less of an adverse impact on the environment.

There was a continued discussion on developing one or more conversational group meetings at The Place Above the Notch. The business has agreed to host such meetings, and has an adjoining room that could facilitate 30 or so persons. Paul is going to inquire of several organizations involved with providing education on energy efficiency, such as HAREI and a sister organization in Plymouth. He also suggested that The Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust, which partnered with the Group for a presentation at The Colonial about the deforestation of the Canadian boreal forest, might be interested in a sustainability presentation. Paul will also explore this option.

On the issue of encouraging a greater emphasis on “repair” as a valuable landfill diversion practice, Bruce will file the necessary papers in January with the Littleton’s Farmer’s Market in January to have a booth for bicycle repair education for next years.

There was a continued discussion on establishing a social media site for the Group on the Town’s website. Barry will contact Mary Moritz about getting in touch with Pam Sullivan on creatin such a site. Bruce will also continue working with Jess Donnelly on establishing outside social media sources.

Barry noted that he has been in touch with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services on their development of heat pump programs that may make this proven energy conservation/efficiency source more available to middle and low-income families. He will follow-up on this.

Barry reported that submissions of articles to put into the Town’s Annual Report are due by March, and that he will draft one for the Group for review and editing so that it could be submitted by the end of the year.

The Group’s minutes of its September meeting was unanimously approved, and Barry will forward them to Nicole.

The next meeting date was set for December 9^th at 5 PM.

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:39 PM.