Tuesday, November 20, 2007

President Kurt Riegel called the meeting to order at 7:11 .

The results of the storm water legislation at last night’s County Council meeting were briefly discussed. The proposal by Council member Cathleen Vitale, whereby tax incentives are awarded to property owners for the installation of runoff reducing methods, was approved. After much discussion, the “all-payer” amendment to John Leopold’s  “SMART Fund” proposal, which was proposed by Councilmen Dillon, Cohen and Benoit, and which was supported by the SRA, was also approved.

The Annapolis City Council rejected the proposal by Councilman Sam Shropshire to ban plastic bags in grocery stores.

The speaker of the evening was Robb B. Fish, Recycling Project Specialist, Waste Management Services, Department of Public Works, Anne Arundel County , whose talk was entitled “Recycle. More. Often.”  This title is, in fact the new county slogan for recycling. It reflects the goal of County Executive Leopold to increase recycling from 30% of what is now discarded to 50%. Mr. Fish noted that current technology negates the need to separate recyclables, and all, save for yard waste, can be placed in the same container. He discussed the collecting schedules and locations for disposal of recyclables, and mentioned the website where more information could be obtained. Questions from the audience were entertained.

Invited Guest: Mickey Mervine: Owner of “Custom Decorative Mouldings” of Delaware . His company manufactures PVC building materials such as moldings. They now offer rain barrels and custom made “water boxes” to capture and control rain runoff from rooftops. These boxes will be available through the manufacturer, and through Arlington Echo, who will receive a donation of $20.00 for each box sold. He is interested in a similar affiliation with the Severn River Association. The company’s phone number is (410) 604-3793, and their web site.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm .

Richard Falk, Recording Secretary