Town Council Minutes 2/23/2004

                                             Town Council Chambers - 290 Tuttle Road
                                                     Monday, February 23, 2004


7:00 p.m.  Call to Order
Present:  Chairman Porter, Councilors Damon, Storey, Kuntz, Moriarty and Stiles.
Excused:  Councilor Savasuk.

I.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES

a)      February 9, 2004

II.     MANAGER'S REPORT

·       Manager Shane thanked the DPW crew for a "fantastic job with their storm plow efforts this past weekend.
·       He received exciting news that the Greely High School group who presented a GIS assignment to the Council in December has since received the Governor"s Award for their project.
·       He will attend Saturdays public hearing in Harpswell to testify against the lack of information regarding the LNG project and its possible impact.  Its very disconcerting &that we have no answers.  
·       The Town has reached a tentative agreement with Cory Mansfield to provide golf pro services for Val Halla. Mr. Mansfield is very enthusiastic about his new position with us and eager to revitalize our junior golf   program.  In fact, hes

·       He testified before the Taxation Committee March 2nd regarding the regionalization efforts underway in Cumberland.  
·       The Cumberland Town Council will join other elected officials tomorrow night in Yarmouth to discuss RWS issues.  They will hear a report from the RWS staff and learn more about the justification for refinancing of the RWS debt.  

III.    PUBLIC DISCUSSION

IV.     LEGISLATION AND POLICY

and was assisted by Nick Powell who directed the powerpoint portion of the presentation.  Mr. Hughes recognized the other board members in attendance this evening: Rick Doane, Ted Bonville, Bill Putnam, Norene Ward and Peter Reed.   He explained The short and long answer is weve had a couple of tough years due to the economy and course conditions.  Its been a rebuilding year. Weve made some big changes.  He described Val Halla as the town of Cumberlands first open space elaborating that Its a full year round facility that gets as much recreational use as it does golf.  The banquet facility gets much use, including non-profits. The majority of the varsity school programs are held at the banquet facility.   Approximately 25 outside tournaments are run each year.  The school uses the banquet room 54 days a year, at a discounted rate.  Its a break even facility when we run those functions.  Were going to try to build on the winter months, which consist of 209 days.  We just hired a golf pro that brings a lot of energy to the course. During the course of the next four/five months well install a point of sale program.  

        Councilor Damon questioned whether a marketing plan for those 209 days will be created.   Mr. Hughes replied we are working as a team now to increase the banquet revenues.  Councilor Kuntz urge(d) people to play that course.  The facility is beautiful.  Councilor Moriarty inquired into the response to the New Years Eve and Super Bowl events.  Mr. Hughes described both events as well attended and well received by existing and new members. The Super Bowl Party was a roaring success.  Mr. Hughes responded affirmatively to September as a workable date for the board to return with suggested charter amendments.   Councilor Stiles requested the board review the junior membership rates, suggesting $400 & is an awful lot.

programs offered by other communities.  The committee invited Public Works Director Steve Johnson to a SWAC meeting to receive further detail on South Portlands public awareness initiative, and how the initiative resulted in an increase from 6% to 21% in their recycling rates.  He articulated (1) Cumberland has a decent recycling rate of 16% compared to South Portlands original rate of 6%; (2) South Portland spent a considerable amount of money to achieve these results; and (3) South Portland rolled out curbside pickup at the same time it rolled out the recycling initiative.  Director Johnson explained the South Portland Recycles & Saves Program was developed in response to the rising RWS assessment.  Its important to note, however, in considering how much they spent on their program that it was not intended solely to educate the public on recycling& but to familiarize the citizens of South Portland with curbside pickup.  They paid an outside consultant $15,000 to develop the look and feel of the campaign.  The South Portland Recycling Committee contributed publicity content.  And, the City Council and Mayor were visibly supportive.  The primary program elements of South Portlands program included (1) a dedicated recycling hotline for citizens ($4,000); (2) a public service announcement, produced in connection with their local television station; (3) production of flyers, banners, etc ($8,000); (4) mailings and newsletters ($5,000 each); (5) presentations in the schools; and (6) recycling round table forums broadcast to the South Portland residents.  All in all, the budget was $40,000; $15,000 of which was paid to the consultant.  An ongoing budget is in place to maintain the momentum.  South Portlands current budget is set at $5,000, and is expected to increase to $8,000 in the upcoming budget.

·       Chairman Porter asked for detail regarding the savings generated by the City of
South Portland.  The gross savings are approximated to be between $125,000 and $150,000.  Chairman Porter asked for more information regarding the Pledge to Recycle program implemented in the South Portland school system. School children were asked to bring home pledge cards to be signed by their parents as a commitment to recycling.
·       Councilor Stiles questioned the use of the silver bullets in the South Portland
recycling program. Mr. Poitras stated that the town retained three silver bullets for use which played a key component in the overall plan.
·       Councilor Moriarty questioned the meaning of the 16.5% figure and the percentage
of households currently recycling in Cumberland.  Mr. Poitras explained that the 16.5% represents the percentage the overall tonnage brought to RWS that is recycled material.  Data to determine the number of households in town has not been surveyed. Chairman Porter added that it would be difficult to survey such data due to the inconsistency of recycling among residents.  He added, What is also not included in the tonnage is the composting done at individual residences.  Manager Shane commented that as a community, we are in the 44-45% range of recycling. Yarmouths number last year was 63%.
·       Councilor Damon requested Chebeague recycling statistics. Mr. Shane will provide
those numbers to the councilor.
·       Councilor Kuntz spoke to the savings per percentage point.  Obviously thats
gonna be rolled off the tax rate.  Thats gonna relate to some people.  Mr. Poitras indicated a 25% increase in recycling rates would show a $68,000 savings; or $2,500 to $3,000 savings for each percent, is also based on the base rate of $88 per ton and the five year rolling assessment; not the new assessment.  
·       Councilor Damon remarked she had conducted an informal survey of Greely High
School staff by asking if any recycling habits were changed as a result of the last council discussion. She received favorable feedback and wondered if that was indicative of the town as a whole. Chairman Porter stated the town receives monthly figures and have seen no movement in the numbers.
·       Councilor Storey feels it would be wise to hire a trash cop. He suggested
Cumberland look at the trash truck to make sure its empty before we start pick ups.  This would help to ensure there is no trash from outside Cumberland being paid for by the town.  It would be money well spent.  
·       Councilor Stiles asked for the cost to dispose of recyclables.  Theres no assessment
for the recyclables.  We pay for the cost of collection by Pine Tree, but not for the disposal replied Mr. Poitras.  The $128 per ton disposal cost represents solid waste only, not recycling.  Mr. Shane explained that staff at RWS does a good job accepting and sorting trash.   
·       Councilor Moriarty summarized, We pay to have the solid waste collected.  Its
delivered to RWS, and weighed, and we pay per ton for the solid waste. We pay to have recyclables collected separately; they are taken to RWS and weighed as well.  He questioned if the town is charged a disposal fee for that tonnage.  Mr. Shane responded part of the tipping fee is subsidizing the processing and the recycling facility. If the Town simply paid outright for a recycling tipping fee it would cost from $35 to $50 per ton. The committee has presented three options to the council: education, mandatory recycling and pay as you throw. Councilor Moriarty believes education is the least expensive option and shares others skepticism around whether we would appreciably increase our participation rate.  He commented this ought to be explored before voting and there should be some contact with this consultant or others regarding what to do when we are, in effect, mid stream in the recycling program and would like to increase from that point. He questioned How do you jumpstart a program that is up and running and established and is successful but not successful enough? Mr. Poitras replied the concepts are universal and the South Portland initiative has a number of great elements to choose from.  As of a few years earlier, 128 communities have gone to the pay-as-you-throw program.  In those communities, a 25% increase is considered a conservative rise in recycling rates. Manager Shane believes the common denominator is convenience, suggesting that a satellite facility on Drowne Road with one silver bullet would, even if we gained 100 tons, save about $10,000 after transportation costs.  
·       Councilor Damon asked if the savings identified were based on an assumption that
more recycling occurs. Mr. Poitras answered that it is a net of both the revenue generated by the bags and the cost savings resulting from the reduction of waste.  Of the $289,000 savings identified $221,000 represents revenue from the bags. Ms. Damon clarified that most of the savings in this program doesnt necessarily come from increased recycling; it comes from collection of money for the bags.  Mr. Shane explained that a 20% drop off in solid waste collection typically occurs with the implementation of the pay-as-you-throw program. Councilor Damon remarked, To me theres a & discrepancy between what youre saving from recycling and the actual cost of the bags.
Chairman Porter added that the pay as you throw program is a carrot and stick approach. Those who want the convenience and choose not to recycle & continue to pay for that convenience. Those that want to recycle, should recycle, and should not incur any increased cost. Mr. Poitras suggested for every penny that the assessment goes up per ton you would see an appreciable savings based on a pay-as-you-throw program or public awareness initiative.
·       Chairman Porter stated he is prepared to support a modified pay as you throw system
where nobody has to pay additional money for their solid waste unless they choose to. Mr. Poitras explained the committee was not asked to make a recommendation with regards to any element of a pay as you throw program.  Without favoring any one solution, Mr. Poitras offered if a bag costs $1 and the town did not distribute any free bags, the cost savings to the town would be approximately $289,000, resulting in a reduction of the mil rate of about 35 cents.  If households received 52 free bags and were given a hard-shelled 33 gallon container the town would see a savings of $155,000, reducing the mil rate by 19 cents.

·       Councilor Damon requested a plan that would outline the cost and implementation schedule of an education campaign, as well as the cost of silver bullets at 2-3 locations throughout town.  She added that many folks on Chebeague Island would appreciate a recycling bin.
·       Councilor Kuntz would also like information on the silver bullets, and in particular, a silver bullet at the CTC parking lot.  Mr. Shane added that he believed West Cumberland and Drowne Road to be the most logical locations for silver bullets.
·       Councilor Storey has received initial opposition to the silver bullets and agrees with Councilor Moriartys question what could be simpler than the curbside pick up? He is opposed to silver bullets around town.
·       Councilor Moriarty is not opposed to silver bullets but he does not believe that they will appreciably increase the participation rates. He was under the belief that a free container was supplied to each household.  
·       Councilor Stiles is in favor of the education initiative and would only support a pay as you throw program as a very last resort. This is a municipal service that folks can see for their tax dollars.  However, were faced with a crisis for tax dollars.  He appealed to residents to recycle.   

for a few weeks due to operational costs.  He plans to re-open March 15^th and rethink our menu a little bit.  He is considering additions to his menu which may include ice cream and additional appetizers.  He explained his request for the addition of beer and wine is due to so many requests from his customers.  

        04  020.       To endorse a regional effort between Yarmouth and Cumberland for assessing
                      duties, effective February 24, 2004.

contract with Cumberland for joint assessing duties.  The final details of the contract are being reviewed by Cumberlands attorney and the agreement will be executed within the next few days.

directly to each employee.  Manager Shane stated the ambiguity will be addressed in the contract.

since this is something new thats never been done before. Mr. Shane explained this is a one-year contract and agreed to come back in August or September with an update.

attended the meetings thus far and identified the schedule as:

V.      NEW BUSINESS