Meeting Date: April 16, 2025
6:30 PM, Warwick Town Hall
1. Meeting called to order by Mike Mankowsky at 6:34 PM
2. Commission Members: Mike Mankowsky, Chair, Mark Fellows, Todd Dexter.
Others in attendance: Gerry Whitney, Attendant and Jan Ameen, Franklin County Solid Waste Management District.
3. Review & Approval of last meeting minutes: Fellows made a MOTION to ACCEPT the minutes as read, Mankowsky SECONDED. Motion CARRIED 3-0-0
4. Old Business:
A. Bulky Waste Scale Update
Mankowsky reported that concrete pricing will be going down as soon as the weather improves. Summer pricing will be available soon. He will get a price for the 12’ x 30’ pad once it has been posted.
Jan asked what type of scale will be purchased. Mankowsky said a mobile scale with pads which can be stored inside when not in use. Dexter asked about the permits which Whitney had brought up at the last meeting. Jan said they will have to come from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. She will work on getting the application completed and submitted to DEP. Copies will be sent to Whitney once completed.
B. Sign Posting, Speed Sign:
Jan said that the Massachusetts Dept. of Corrections makes signs for municipal and state departments. She will check and see if a speed sign can be made up for the transfer station entrance. The Commission has talked about a 5 MPH sign due to the higher than normal vehicle speed coming into the facility.
C. Green Bag Compactor Electrical Panel: Town Electrician, Todd Weed has provided an estimate of $2500.00 to replace the electrical panel on the compactor. It has had add on components placed in the panel which prevents the door to be closed and secured. Water and outdoor elements have caused severe corrosion to electrical contacts. After discussion Mankowsky made a MOTION to have Electrician Todd Weed replace the panel at $2500.00. Fellows SECONDED, CARRIED 3-0-0
D. AT&T Frist Net: Whitney said the phone will not hold a charge. He received an older phone from the town and finds it is not reliable. The Commissioners decided that in order to have reliable phone service the Town broadband needed to install a new receiver and WIFI unit. This would allow Whitney to use WIFI calling on his own cell phone. Fellows will work on installing a new unit.
VI. New Business:
A. Styrofoam Block Recycling: Fellows said he attended a zoom call sponsored by FCSWMD on March 6th regarding the Styrofoam block recycling. Amy Donovan, Program Director provided details. He said the collection period would be taking place each Saturday for the month of April, 9-12 PM. The district will drop off a Conex box which will be 8’x 8’ x 20’. The container driver will need a contact person to open the gate. Whitney said he would be available. The drop will be the week of March 31st. Janice Kurkoski, from the Buildings and Energy Committee said they will be manning the collection each Saturday with 2-3 volunteers. Mankowsky said Whitney will not be available to assist or man the container. He has to be available for his normal work load. There will be an announcement in the town newsletter and face book page along with flyer postings advertising the collection. The Commission moved back to OLD BUSINESS at 7:14 PM.
B. Comingle Walkway: Mankowsky said Waste Management sent a welder up to make some emergency repairs. The rear legs on the platform had been completely broken off and needs more work. Waste Management moved one of the recycle containers which pulled the ramp forward damaging the legs and framework. Mankowky said he will work with WM and pull the ramp out for inspection and final repairs. Mankowsky said the temporary repairs have made it safe enough to reopen the unit and containers on March 22nd.
C. Green Bag Compactor Hydraulic Repair: Tim Crowningshield, of TRC Repair, LLC from Plainfield, MA will make repairs to the system Saturday, March 15th. The hydraulic oil is full of water and the tank cover has been compromised. He will removed and dispose of the contaminated oil and make all necessary repairs.
D. Discussion on Container Use: Whitney asked if he should continue to use the cardboard compactor for green bag disposal. It was being used while the regular compactor hydraulic system was down. Mankowsky said to finish out with it on Saturday, March 22nd and have it hauled.
E. Transfer Station Fee Schedule Review: Whitney has a schedule of fees for the towns of Orange, Athol, City of Greenfield. The matter was tabled for a future meeting date for a complete review.
F. Springfield MRF Contract Renewal: Coordinator David Young provided the Commission with the contract renewal. This is a three-year renewal commencing for FY26-FY30. The Select Board is the approving authority for any contractual terms for the Town.
It was approved at their November 4, 2024 meeting. The town could opt out and go out on its own seeking other offers. It was not advised because the county already has contracts with necessary vendors. Jan Ameen from FCSWMD sent an e mail on October 22, 2024 regarding the new contract. The e mail is attached as documents referenced during this meeting.
G. Springfield MRF Recycling Process Fees Schedule: Jan Ameen, from the FCSWMD sent out an e mail February 17, 2025 to all district town members regarding the processing fees. Waste Management has reduced the cost for February loads are down $8.00 per ton to $28.26 per ton. Most of the change in value is for plastics and corrugated. The Average Market Value – Duel Stream report is attached as documents referenced during this meeting.
H. Waste Management Container Pick Up Plowing Agreement: Jan Ameen from the FCSWMD sent an e mail on December 16, 2024 regarding plowing the transfer station. Waste Management has had a hard time with containers being snowed in on pick up day. Whitney has coordinated with the highway department making sure they are plowed out for pick up. He is aware to call Chris Carabine at WM, 413-348-1838 if a pick up cannot be made.
I. Hi De Liners: Shawn Laperle from Hi De Liners in Orange has quoted the Town of Warwick green bags. They are the current supplier. The Commission discussed the new quote for 50 cases of bags. Each case has 200 bags with a case price of $47.75 each. Mankowsky made a MOTION to accept the quote for 50 cases of Town of Warwick green trash bags, Fellows SECONDED. CARRIED 3-0-0
6. Updates and needs of Attendant Gerry Whitney:
A. HP Computer Usage, Documents: Whitney reports the town has a new turnover report. He is working with Tracy Styles to develop a form tailored for reporting to the Commission. Dexter asked when he would have this ready for presentation. Whitney said they needed to make a few changes and would address at the next meeting.
B. Documents Update: Whitney has a new textile sheet from the district. No clothing is allowed in the trash. The Legislature has passed a new law making it illegal. Whitney will get it into the next newsletter with how to dispose of clothing properly.
7. Unanticipated business: None
5. Public Comment. None
6. Adjourn new meeting date. Next meeting will be April 16, 2025, 6:30 PM at the Town Hall All Boards Room. Adjourned at 8:51 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Todd Dexter
Commission Member