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BELLEFONTE -- The 16-member Solid Waste Advisory Committee was appointed during Tuesday's Centre County commissioners' meeting.
Joanne Shafer, deputy executive director and recycling coordinator of the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority, spoke during the meeting, which was held via Zoom.
"It is an open-ended commitment," Shafer explained. "Our hope would be to follow through at least until a new contract is executed. At that point, the committee would still exist, but it would be rendered inactive."
Commissioner Steve Dershem questioned the open-ended committment.
"I would feel more comfortable if there was a stop date certain on here," Dershem said.
Shafer then recommended a three-year appointment.
"I think three years would be reasonable," she said.
The following appointments were made: Tom Fountaine (State College Borough), Ryan Hockenberry (State College Borough), Carla Stilson (College Township), Philip Melnick (Penn State University), Josh Helke (Organic Climbing), Dave Pensak (State of the Art, Inc.), Richard Carson (Carson Disposal), Shelly Mato (Centre Region Council of Government), Bob Belinda (Clearwater Conservancy), Mark Ralston (Potter Township Source Water Protection Committee), Erik Foley-DiFiore (Center for the Business of Sustainability-PSU), Ron Johnson (Sierra Club), Tasha Williams (Centre Concrete), Richard Stehouwer (Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority), Mark Henry (Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority) and Joanne Shafer (Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority).
Shafer talked about the county's long-term refuse plan.
"The sole purpose of the plan is to ensure adequate disposal capacity for trash that is generated within the county's borders. Different counties do it different ways. We have a history here in Centre County of doing what's known as a flow control plan. I believe it will be the recommendation of this committee to continued in that vein moving forward," Shafer said.
Shafer also reminded residents that the CCRRA's annual household hazardous waste collection event will be held on Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 at the Transfer Station. Friday's hours are from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday. Those taking part must pre-register for the event. Once registered, you will receive a ticket for entry. Those taking part cannot attend the event without pre-registering.
The following items are accepted: Insecticides, weed killers, pool chemicals, cleaners, poisons, corrosives, flammables, oil based paints, CFL bulbs, fluorescent tubes and most other hazardous chemicals from households only.
The following items will not be accepted: Latex paint, motor oil, antifreeze, medications, batteries, ammunition and explosives.
For more information or help registering for the event, please call (814) 238-7005.
In other business Tuesday, the commissioners:
-- Made Proclamation No. 9 of 2021, which proclaimed April 18-24, 2021 as Conservation District Week in Centre County.
-- Approved an agreement with Larson Design Group, Inc. to perform all work and services, and furnish all equipment and materials both otherwise provided, for preliminary engineering, final design review, and shop drawing review for the 2018 and 2019 bridge bundle projects. The agreement shall not exceed $1,122,539.30, as authorized in Resolutions 4 and 5 of 2021, without prior approval.
-- Approved a contract with Justice Benefits, Inc. to identify Federal reimbursement monies from the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program. The total cost is 11 percent of revenue paid to the County for the period of five years commencing on approval of the agreement.
-- Approved a contract addendum with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to provide an additional professional license. Tis increases the contract total is $468 per year, a total of $1,404 through the period ending Dec. 31, 2023.
-- Approved a Letter of Agreement with the Behavioral Health Alliance of Pennsylvania and Community Care to coordinate efforts to improve the health status of returning citizens who are Health Choices Program members. There is no cost for this agreement.
All of those items were moved to next week's consent agenda.
The Centre County commissioners will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27. The meeting will be held via Zoom and televised live on C-NET.