Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Recycling And Waste Reduction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Recycling coordinator reports rising program revenue, MassDEP grant of $44,000 approved for education
Summary
Recycling coordinator Nelson Silva reported increased receipts and program activity and the committee approved forwarding a $44,000 MassDEP recycling dividends grant to the full council for education and container purchases.
The Budget and Finance Committee on July 11 heard an update from Nelson Silva, the city's recycling coordinator, who said recycling and enforcement efforts have generated more than $127,000 in revenue since he began and that the department has sold roughly 750 trash barrels to residents.
Silva briefed the committee on a $44,000 Recycling Dividends grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) intended for education, container purchases and resident outreach. He said the funds would be used to buy recycling containers, produce educational materials and promote participation in the city's recycling program. "This money doesn't last very long," Silva told the committee, describing operational expenses related to outreach and enforcement.
Councilors asked for quarterly receipts and expenditures for the recycling revolving account and for more regular engagement with the Council. Silva said his office has been short-staffed and that he is often working in the field; he agreed to provide additional reporting and meet with councilors. The committee voted by voice to forward the MassDEP grant authorization to the full council with a favorable recommendation.
Separately the committee resumed discussion of a larger $250,000 regional household hazardous waste facility grant (see separate article) and tabled that item pending additional site analysis.
