Re: Food Scrap

[Dan Welsh]

Linda:

I would offer that while small government is a fine goal in general, there are areas of public benefit and purpose where governments have a legitimate interest, and indeed, obligation. Historic reality does not support the argument that all of our environmental challenges will all be solved by simply hoping that individuals will align perfectly on these issues and "do the right thing"; government action is often required.  Food waste is actually a significant contributor to our carbon footprint and we are, as everyone on this list knows, desperately close to a very negative tipping point on that count. There is so much more we have to do yet, and governments play an important kickstarting role when a market has not yet caught up, or even been created in many cases. There is also an efficiency element to handling this as a collective initiative. I hope that perhaps if you consider these factors you might find that this, what is probably going to amount to about 50 cents on your tax bill, is a reasonable and appropriate expenditure.

- Dan 

On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 10:33 AM Linda Press Wolfe <press...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Tony,

Thank you for the prompt response.

I believe government has an important role to play in resdients' quality of life.  However, paying for a service that residents can easily access and pay for on their own is not one of those.  There are multiple and numerous options for individual homeowners to compost.  And as you point out, communities like The Meadows, can also access and pay for composting for its homeowners. This should not be a government function and town expense.

Residents can opt to pay for their own composting.  Or prefer not to.  This is an individual's choice.

When the town board is faced with renewing this carting contract, I strongly suggest they do not.

Respectfully,

Linda Press Wolfe

On Apr 23, 2022, at 8:56 PM, Tony Goncalves <super...@lewisborogov.onmicrosoft.com> wrote:

Linda,

Thanks for your email.

The food scrap recyclung was unanimousily approved by the town board just before COVID I think in late 2019 or early 2020.

The benefits were presented in the webinar held by the Sustainability Committee this past week.  That webinar is included within the link I shared but here it is for your direct access.

https://youtu.be/6WENzZdRfZg

Food scraps recyling has been successfully implemented in neighboring municipalities including Pound Ridge, Bedford and North Salem.  I personally visited the Bedford site and can say it is well used by the residents.  We hope it will be as successful in Lewisboro.

As for the costs I would have to get the details for you but aside from the one time cost for the large pails located behind the town house and the informational signage and guides.  There is a monthly fee from the carting company for the weekly pick-up.

I agree with you that the Meadows residents, as is the case with all residents, pay for private trash removal but that removal does not provide for food scraos recyling.  As a muti-unit condo development, the Meadows 

residents do not have the ability to do their own composting.  This program will provide your development and others who can not (or prefer not to) do their own composting, to now recycle their food scraps and have that material taken to a compost facility rather than be incinerated along with the trash.

Please share this info including the YouTube video condo wide.

Best 

Tony Gonçalves

Supervisor, Town of Lewisboro

e: tgonc...@lewisborogov.com

m: (914) 980-1054

o: (914) 763-3151

Sent from my Android device

-------- Original message --------

From: Linda Press Wolfe <press...@hotmail.com>

Date: 4/23/22 10:07 AM (GMT-05:00)

To: Tony Goncalves <super...@lewisborogov.onmicrosoft.com>, Andrea Rendo <Are...@lewisborogov.onmicrosoft.com>, Richard Sklarin <RSkl...@lewisborogov.onmicrosoft.com>, Dan Welsh <DWe...@lewisborogov.onmicrosoft.com>, ms...@lewisborogov.com

Cc: Mary Hafter <bene...@lewisborogov.onmicrosoft.com>

Subject: Food Scrap

To our TB,

How much is this costing the taxpayers and what are the benefits, if any, to town of Lewisboro residents in this food scrap recycling plan.  I fail to see the benefit to residents town wide and did not find the link provided in the Supervisor’s message helpful in providing an answer.  

Residents here in The Meadows pay for private trash removal including recycling bins.  As such there’s no benefit to recycling bins at town house for our 174 homeowner’s -approximately 400 residents..  A response will be appreciated and as a homeowner association board member here in The Meadows, I would be happy to share your response condo-wide.

Respectfully,

Linda Press Wolfe

Food Scraps Recycling. The Lewisboro Sustainability Committee (including Jessical Gallagher in the picture) with the help of the Town Board are launching the Food Scrap Recycling initiative. The drop off location is located behind the Town House. More information including the April 18th webinar can be found here. The webinar if very informative and I suggest viewing to learn more.

[Dan Welsh]

And thank you for your input as well Linda.

On Mon, Apr 25, 2022 at 1:59 PM Linda Press Wolfe <press...@hotmail.com> wrote:

Dan,

I always appreciate your input.  In this case, we will have to agree to disagree.

Regards,

Linda