Canton Sustainability Minutes March 7 2022

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Canton Sustainability Committee
Minutes
March 7, 2022 
Members Present: Christine Smith, Katy Clark, Patricia McDermott, TariniDasari, Andrea Stuart, Erin Connor, Carolyn Elkort
Members Absent:Tim Calabrese, Stephen Marshall
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm with full remote participation. 
Update on Energy Aggregation – Canton Energy Advisory Committee
The Select Board has issued the RFP and have appointed an Energy Advisory Committee. It is a 5 member committee and three members have been appointed so far. Christine Smith is one
of the members. 
Clean Up Day in Canton – April 30
Keep Canton Beautiful committee has set its first annual Clean Up Day for April 30th. Jeff Sullivan had presented on this at our March meeting. They hope to make this an annual event.
 The Select Board approved the event & plans to sponsor a cookout for volunteers after the event. It is the day after Arbor Day and is open to all ages. Carolyn Elkort said that the
library would be doing something also for Arbor Day, which possibly includes handing out saplings. 
Request to support Comments on DOER Stretch Code Proposal
Christine Smith reported that the Committee received a request from a Canton resident asking the Committee if they would sign on to support comments to DOER on their proposed Stretch
Code. The proposed Stretch Code is an updated building code that would require certain energy efficiency updates to meet the state’s climate goals. The comments to DOER are asking
DOER to make the code more energy efficient and aim for net zero energy use. There were also comments asking for steps to incentivize green communities to opt into the stretch code.
 There was a discussion of the comments and proposal. Committee members did not feel comfortable taking a vote to support as a committee. However, individual members can sign on as
individuals. Deadline is March 9. 
Textile Recycling Follow Up
At the March meeting the Committee had discussed possible locations for additional textile boxes, such as the schools and the Senior Center. Stephen Marshall was not present to report
on the schools. Patricia McDermott has reached out to the Council on Aging but has not heard back yet. She will follow up. This matter will be discussed at the next meeting. 
Terracycle
At the March meeting, the Committee discussed the possibility of purchasing Terracycle boxes to provide options for recycling items that are not recyclable in curbside pickup. Carolyn
Elkort reported that the idea of placing them at the library was not that well-received because they find that people throw trash into the Crayons to Cradles bins they have so the library
felt this would happen with these as well. 
The other option discussed was to host these at the town hall lobby. There is less foot traffic there but also probably less chance people would throw trash in there. Pine Street is
not likely an option because the boxes were meant to be outside and that would be the only option at Pine Street.
We would need to seek permission to put them at Town Hall and would need to have a complete proposal – such as what types of items would we collect, what the sizes are, who would collect
them, etc. One other option would be the high school lobby.
There was a discussion regarding process of Terracycle. It was explained that Terracycle has a municipal partnership and the boxes are free. The Committee would need to send the filled
boxes back to Terracycle. 
There was a discussion about what types of materials would be collected as there are a lot of Terracycle options. Salem had boxes for razors, office supplies, oral hygiene, deodorant
containers, Swiffer items. Homework assigned to the Committee members was to look at the different options for Terracycle and come to next meeting with suggestions. We could take
a poll among all the suggestions put forward at the next meeting. 
Status at Pine Street for Cardboard/Metal Recycling/RDP Grant
Christine Smith reported that she was in touch with Josh at the DPW office who confirmed that the $20.00 sticker was required for yard waste only but was not needed for the textiles,
overflow trash dumpster, or anything else. Patricia McDermott reported that this was different from what she was told by the Ronnie, the woman who runs Pine Street. This information
is not clear on the DPW website. Christine Smith stated she would suggest that this be clear on the DPW website. 
Christine Smith reported that trash, recycle, cardboard, metal, and textile dumpsters are open to the residents; the trash dumpster is for overflow dumping only (not for clearing out
a house). Residents can bring 2 of each type of electronic annually (i.e. tablets, laptops, TVs, etc.). Residents must provide proof of residency in order to enter the facility. 
Patricia McDermott reported that when she was at Pine Street, people were throwing trash in the cardboard recycling dumpsters and noted it was not clearly marked what was supposed to
go in each bin. Ronnie stated that this was a problem because the recycling company may refuse to keep bringing these bins. The bins are not clearly marked. There was discussion as
to whether signs could be put on the dumpsters.
Christine Smith noted that if we have cardboard and metal recycling we will get more points on the State RDP grant. Also, people should be made aware of the grant; it should be on the
DPW website. 
Paul Revere Heritage Festival
Christine Smith reported that she signed the Committee up for this festival in May but has not heard back. She asked Patricia McDermott if she would follow up with the Paul Revere Heritage
group to confirm they received the sign up.
Patricia McDermott made a motion to adjourn at 8:25 pm; Seconded by Andrea Stuart. Vote was unanimous to adjourn the meeting.