05/28/2025 TSC Minutes

Minutes of the May 28, 2025 

Meeting Of the Transfer Station Committee 

The meeting began at 5PM at the Bethlehem Public Library. Present were Nancy Strand, Chris Jensen, Barry Zitser, Andrea Bryant, and Julie Seely. Allegra Wright attended as a member of the public. 

Public Input. During the discussion on the Plastics Resolution, Allegra noted that there is a program where, if an organization collects a certain amount of plastic waste, it could receive a free bench from a waste recycling business. Barry stated that one of the Town’s schools had already received such a bench, and that he would send Allegra further information on this program. 

Update on NRRA Conference. Barry attended the May 19-20 Conference and had previously sent out a written review of the highlights. He noted that he will also send a copy of this review to Allegra.  He added that one of the success stories addressed at a workshop was the repair event held in Boulder, Colorado. Nancy had previously brought up the possibility of having either a repair shop at the future transfer station, or some event to provide training/education on how to repair valuable and useable items that might otherwise be landfilled. At the Boulder event, a number of volunteer service persons, experienced in repairs of various items, came with an adequate amount of tools to teach persons how to repair items that were brought to the event. Nancy noted that she has heard of other cities which have had similar events, and that they are very labor intensive. The Committee members agree that “repair” is one of the r’s in landfill diversion that does not receive sufficient attention. While this subject should continue to receive our attention, perhaps the best way to organize a repair event is when there is a larger event, such as the Vintage Market in the Mountain, that could arrange for a gathering of sufficient servicepersons and tools.  

Update on Curbside Pick-Up and Hauling Bidding (Requests for Proposals). Nancy noted that the only hold-up on going out to bid to see whether curbside pick-up and other services are economic, is the failure of the current manager at the NCES transfer station to provide the number of solid waste pick-up containers that are currently used. When it was suggested that perhaps even NCES does not know the exact number, Barry stated that this does not excuse the courtesy of a reply.  Barry suggested going forward with the bidding in the absence of this information, since the potential bidders could obtain the number of Bethlehem residences and make their own judgment.  

Update on Grants. Nancy has been in communication with Mary Moritz to determine whether, if the Town were to build the future transfer station with a loan or bonding, and subsequently was approved for a Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant, the grant could be used to repay the Town’s debt. Mary’s preliminary opinion is that the grant could not be used for this purpose. However, Mary indicated that the Town should receive information on whether it is in the running for the SWIFR grant in the fall, prior to the time the Town would have to make a decision on whether to pursue a bonding warrant. Chris suggested that our Committee should be thinking about bond financing prior to the fall. Nancy agreed that this should be the focus of our next meeting. Julie noted that it has been a long time since the Town had a bond warrant – perhaps around 2007 or so. This bond was for the Profile School and involved 4 towns. This $14 million bond passed by a single vote. 

Phase I Transfer Station Costs. Nancy did not have any update on the possible scaling down of these costs. 

Plastics Resolution. Nancy noted that the Plastics Resolution, recommended by the Conservation Commission, the Transfer Station Committee, and the Sustainability Working Group, is on Monday’s Select Board agenda. The Resolution would put the Town on record as promoting the reduction of unnecessary plastic use and safe disposal methods. 

The April minutes of the Transfer Station Committee were unanimously approved with Andrea abstaining since she did not attend the meeting. 

The next meeting date was set for July 2^nd at 5PM. 

The meeting adjourned at 5:39.