A focal point of the meeting was the presentation by Mimi Kaplan from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, who outlined the process and considerations for developing an RFP related to the town’s waste management services. Kaplan, who took over the project following Eric Weiss’s departure, emphasized the importance of curbside compost collection, highlighting its role in reducing household trash by addressing food waste, which comprises roughly one-third of the waste stream. Kaplan mentioned the example of Hamilton, Massachusetts, the only municipality in the state with a mandated food waste diversion bylaw. She discussed potential ways to implement similar measures in Amherst, weighing the options of mandatory versus voluntary participation.

Kaplan presented several models for waste management, including the “pay as you throw” (PAYT) approach, which charges residents based on the amount of trash they produce, thereby encouraging waste reduction. The PAYT model in South Hadley, which involves biweekly trash collection with a 65-gallon container limit, was discussed as a possible blueprint. The committee explored whether to keep the local transfer station open for bulky waste disposal or to phase it out in favor of a more centralized system. Options such as maintaining the station with adjusted fees or allowing it to serve as an aggregation site for haulers were considered.

The committee also discussed the financial logistics of transitioning from a subscription-based model to a town-managed service. The shift could bring about varied costs for residents, with some potentially paying less under a town contract and others facing higher expenses. The importance of conducting a full cost analysis was stressed to adequately compare the current system with proposed changes.

Susan Wade, a municipal assistance coordinator, informed the committee about the state’s solid waste master plan, which prioritizes composting and waste diversion over the next five years. Wade highlighted the opportunity for Amherst to serve as a model for composting initiatives due to its population density, which could attract haulers interested in establishing composting routes. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s financial support for businesses expanding waste handling capacity was noted as a potential benefit to local initiatives.

The committee recognized the need for clarity regarding the financial aspects of these proposals, with concerns about whether the transition to a new model would be more or less costly for residents. The necessity of having a comprehensive RFP that outlines specific costs and service levels was emphasized. A draft RFP was proposed to be ready by the end of June to facilitate further committee review and input, although there were concerns about the feasibility of this timeline given ongoing budgetary constraints.

In addition to waste management discussions, the meeting addressed the appointment of new members to the historical commission. The commission’s struggle to maintain a quorum for reviewing demolitions was highlighted, leading to recommendations for appointing Camila Wang Carlos and Kyani to fill vacancies. Despite these appointments, four vacancies remained, underscoring ongoing challenges in staffing the commission.

The committee also touched upon the street lights policy, deliberating on how to balance this with other priorities within the Department of Public Works. The technical aspects and potential costs of upgrading street lights were discussed, with suggestions for the committee to draft objectives or recommendations for a comprehensive policy. The significance of pedestrian safety was acknowledged.