03/25/2025 SWG Minutes

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 25, 2025 MEETING

OF THE BETHLEHEM SUSTAINABILITY WORKING GROUP

The meeting commenced at 5:30 pm at the Bethlehem Library.  Present were Barry Zitser, Andrea Knowles, and a guest friend of Andrea, Meredith McMorrow. Bruce Caplain and Rachelle Lyons attended via Zoom.

Bruce read the Mission Statement of the Sustainability Working Group:

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.

Bruce provided an update on partnering with the Littleton Coop to promote sustainable products.  Bruce has been in contact with both Bruce Etter, who first proposed this issue, and also the Coop.  One or both of the Bruces will set up a meeting with the Coop. Barry provided some suggestions on how such products might be promoted, such as through a discount coupon and an explicit endorsement by the Group.

Bruce distributed a flyer, prepared by Jess Donnelly, a member of the Group, which is designed to inform apartment renters which items may be brought to the NCES transfer station for recycling.  Currently, Town apartment complexes and the senior center have bins on site for trash, but no bins for single stream recyclables. The flyer is for the purpose of encouraging apartment owners to exercise their rights to utilize the transfer station for recyclables and other items that should not be landfilled.  Bruce noted that the senior center and Lloyd’s Hill apartment managers have been contacted and are willing to distribute this information. Barry noted that Lahout’s is also willing to provide this information either in a flyer or in its newsletter. The Hillview apartments have not yet been contacted. Bruce suggested that the flyer should add that it is being presented by the Group.  Barry suggested that the flyer should also highlight that: 1) renters should bring some identification of their address to the transfer station to get a sticker  for their car that will allow free access and use; 2) free and usable items can be obtained at the transfer station swap shop; 3) Bethlehem residents can subscribe to the Town’s virtual swap shop on Facebook for larger free and reusable items, along with a link; and 4) renters can also receive, through an email link, the Town News prepared by Cheryl and Chris Jensen, which posts important Town events and information.

Barry provided a brief update on requesting the Conservation Commission (Commission) to adopt a resolution recommending that the Select Board adopt a resolution declaring the Town’s desire to be a leading community in the reduction of unnecessary plastic use and its harmful disposal, and to pursue voluntary actions, through the Town’s Transfer Station Committee and Sustainability Working Group, to substantially reduce the unnecessary use and harmful disposal of plastics within its governmental and school operations, local businesses, community organizations and residences. He has presented the Commission with a three-paragraph resolution which will be placed on its April agenda.  Barry will attend the meeting, and Rachelle is also a member of the Commission. Barry believes that the resolution will not see any material objection, since it does not impose new responsibilities on the over-worked Commission, and strictly pursues a voluntary approach. Barry promised to email the new Select Board liaison, Andrea, a copy of the resolution, and she appeared to be supportive of its goals.

Bruce is in contact with The Colonial theatre concerning the sponsorship of a feel-good, sustainability movie.  Barry and Bruce have been discussing possible movies that might attract a good turnout, and will follow up with The Colonial.

On the issue of pursuing a community orchard at the solar array site behind the Bethlehem Elementary School, Bruce noted that he could obtain cuttings from Mary Lou Krambeer, and perhaps Telman Hill farm in Whitefield. We could begin growing some small trees in pots to be ready for planting in the late spring. Bruce noted that Meadowstone Farm is also growing blueberries and that perhaps we should also consider some berries for the orchard.  Rachelle noted that growing trees from cuttings requires some good care, along with hormones. Barry has also been in contact with Yonder Mountain, a local nursery, which will reopen in the spring, and could perhaps provide larger plants, along with an assessment of the orchard area.

Rachelle brought up the subject of developing a conversational group meeting, where we could get some simple, helpful tips on how to encourage more sustainability actions. This might also encourage an increase in membership, which she noted has been a challenging problem for other Town commissions and committees. The Group thought this was an excellent idea, and she will give it some additional consideration on how such a meeting might be structured. The opportunity for volunteers to join Town commissions and committees might also be published in Our Town News.

There was a discussion about whether the Group should write an individual letter to Senator Rochefort in opposition to the adoption of House Bill 639, concerning crypto mining, as opposed to a joint letter with the Transfer Station Committee. It does not appear that the Transfer Station Committee has the authority to write such a letter of opposition, independent of the Select Board. It was determined that the Group will write such an individual letter, and Barry volunteered to draft one for review and editing by Bruce and Rachelle, and submission by Bruce.

There was a brief discussion on how the Group could encourage the development of a repair shop to reduce landfilling.  One suggestion was to develop a list of persons who might have expertise in this area, such as persons who can repair bicycles, and include this in the Town’s virtual swap shop on Facebook. There was another suggestion that perhaps there could be a small table to advertise this option, along with other sustainability items, at the Bethlehem farmers market.  Barry noted that the Transfer Station Committee also has an interest in this matter, and it should be a subject for on-going discussion.

The minutes of the February 25, 2025 meeting were approved, and Barry represented that he would forward them to Nicole.

The next meeting date was set for April 29^th at 5:30 in the Library.