Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting

The Moon Township Environmental Advisory Council met on June 1, 2016, and approved the minutes from the May 11 meeting. Under new business, a council member reported on a project led by Robert Morris University and Venture Outdoors to clean up the area around the forthcoming Waterfront Park, focusing on knot weed and trash beneath a concrete foundation. Seven cleanup dates are scheduled from July to October, with partners including Chevron, Starbucks, Titlesource, and Double Tree. Members discussed the possibility of using goats to eat the knot weed, but the council member noted the cost is $100 per hour per goat and the company is booked; the township is currently hacking and mowing the knot weed, a process expected to take three years. The council also discussed a grant for a study to determine where to maximize the benefits of 10 township solar panels, which would contribute to the Solarize Energy campaign. The grant was approved, but the township lacks staff to conduct the study.

Under old business, the council finalized assignments for Recycling Day on June 4, with members arriving by 7:30 a.m. Tasks included bagels and coffee, car counting and traffic control, electronics and FREON appliance counting, Global Links and Construction Junction help, and tire counting. A council member reported that an employee has not yet provided a plan for a social media presence, which the council sees as a volunteer recruiting tool. The council voted to cancel the July meeting and asked members to consider new programs for discussion at the August 10 meeting, including revisiting activities previously undertaken by a former member. A council member suggested school outreach programs, and a council member reported that PAT agreed to allow bus riders during their return trip. A council member proposed a MEAC newsletter, modeled after another community’s publication. The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.