Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted.

Discussion of town meeting survey:

• Opinions were mostly favorable.
• Stated advantages were increased recycling and increased equity
• Stated disadvantages were that it was not part of the tax rate (therefore not deductible for tax purposes).
• General comments were along the lines of implement as soon as possible and it is a good idea.
• Most comments from TM members were positive.

DEP Grants
Due with acting town administrator Tom Groulx on May 1, 2002.  These will be sent to DEP after they are signed.
The FY 2003 grant is due later in the year.  It is possible a paid consultant will be used for this task.
Money for any PR materials may be held
Additional data will be available after the workshop

Finance

• Need to determine fringe benefit numbers for inclusion
• There may be a possible comparison to the cost to the 1.5M trash fee to be collected.  An option is to have any fees cover only tipping fees and leave all other costs in the fiscal budget.  Fixed costs must be kept in the tax rate.
• How to measure success:  by a reduction of tipping/disposal fees and an increase in recycling
• We must determine what will happen with any excess revenues collected.  If ‘retained earnings’ are generated from the program, a possibility is a downward adjustment of the per bag cost.  
• The stated purpose of the program is NOT to increase the revenue stream but to reduce disposal expense.
• Committee to meet for additional work.

Public Education and Outreach

• Met on April 24, 2002.  Minutes will follow.
• Possibility of some PR website?
• Discussion of Natick Days and participation.  Will request two tables to be located on the Common.
• Feeling is that this program must start very strongly for presentation to the Selectmen and the media.
• Will investigate school involvement in programs or to assist the PAYT committee.
• Need to establish an email and telephone contact point.

Bags & Stickers

• Sent questionnaire to surrounding towns.  Most towns report little or no illicit dumping to avoid paying for trash disposal.
• Storage of bags, if this is the collection method, is considered a problem due to bulk.
• Discussed how bags will be sold.  Will a monetary incentive be offered to the vendor?
• Discussed method of either storing bags under DPW control or system of local merchants ordering directly form the vendor, using an approved system.
• Discussed discounts for eligible residents, and disabled/hardship/senior citizen waivers.

Other

• Five individuals will attend a seminar on PAYT in early May.
• There was a discussion on having speakers address this committee, which was desirable.  This will be worked on for future meetings.
• The Public Education and Outreach sub committee will meet on May 8.

The next full committee meeting is scheduled for May 22, 2002.  The meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.