Attention all residents of Hope, Lincolnville, Rockport and Camden: on Wednesday evening Dec 13 at 7 p.m. the Midcoast Solid Waste Board of Directors will be meeting to decide on the 2018 budget.

In 2016, two very wise and forward thinking leaders of our communities were instrumental in creating, getting approval, and funding for a new position at the transfer station: the Recycling and Reuse Coordinator.

It was the hope of Tom Ford and Leonard Lookner that this position help the four towns be a part of the local and global solution to maintaining the beautiful environment in which we live. This person would be an integral part of MCSW to educate the public on all things waste related, to increase our rate of recycling, to expand the Swap Shop and fill it with working usable items that could help all of our citizens, and help our towns be a part of the solution rather than the problem.

Unfortunately, this position has yet to be filled and the funding for it is now in jeopardy. Our transfer station manager, Jim Guerra, has stricken the funding from the 2018 budget, promising to reinstate it in 2019. With this decision comes concerns. As you might know, the MCSW Board has had some turnover, and with the 2 originators of this position passing away, I am concerned that its reinstatement will be forever postponed. I am not saying our current board members are against this position, or would be at a future time. But as the saying goes "out of sight, out of mind." We would hate to see this position get lost in the future.

What can you do? Two things, or at least one of the two. Show up at Wednesday's meeting and share your opinion as to whether this position should be funded for the 2018 year. If you cannot make the meeting, please contact your town manager or board member for the MCSW as soon as possible and voice your opinion.

Now, if you attend the meeting you will probably hear such comments as "we just don't have the money for the position", or "it's not a good time for this person to come aboard."

I ask you, "when is a good time?" If we wait, and wait, and wait for the time and budget to be perfect for all things in our lives we would never get anything done. One important aspect to keep in mind is that this position could be self supporting in time. As this person increased our recycling rate, the more money we would earn from selling recyclables. At this time we only are recycling at a rate between 20 and 30%. Imagine if that were to double or triple! A serious composting program could reduce our garbage by 30%, saving us from having to pay trucking and tipping fees for all that compostable waste to be taken to an incinerator. Right now our combined trucking and tipping fees are over $550,000. 30% savings would amount to $165,000, enough for 2 or 3 Recycling/Reuse Coordinators. Our infamous Swap Shop could be expanded by diverting usable construction debris from the landfill, extending it's life. It could be filled with refrigerators, washers, dryers, chairs, tables, vacuums, kitchen supplies, etc. It could be open year round and on Saturdays with Repair Cafes if only we had someone to coordinate the day to day logistics.

These are all ideas and doable changes that we, the Waste Watch Committee, have come up with to push forward with the original concept of this position as seen by its founders. If you haven't heard of us, we are a volunteer group looking for ways to increase the knowledge of, and follow through on the Waste Hierarchy... 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle'. It is the order of priority of actions to be taken to reduce the amount of waste generated, and to improve overall waste management processes and programs. Why am I on this committee? Why is anyone on this committee? Because we care. We care about our respective towns, our environment, our kids, and our neighbors... and we know you care too.

Don't let the excuses dissuade you. Don't let excuses prevent Tom's and Leonard's legacy from coming to fruition.

Here is a link to your Town Managers and the MCSW Board of Directors contact information:

http://www.midcoastsolidwaste.org/board-of-directors/

David Edwards, Lincolnville