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Politics & Government

Council Approves New Garbage Contract

Report on the Fairfax Town Council meeting on Nov. 2.

Resource Recovery Agreement

The Fairfax Town Council approved a ten-year franchise agreement with Marin Sanitary Service (MSS). The agreement covers all aspects of resource recovery, getting to zero-waste, and other special issues such as household hazardous waste, medical waste, paper-shredding and many other programs.

The current Solid Waste, Recycling and Resource Recovery agreement was written and approved on April 19, 1993 and was with a different garbage hauler. MSS took over this agreement without any changes. Much has changed in the solid waste, recycling and resource recovery world since 1993 and the town council and MSS felt it was time to create an agreement that better reflects the services that are being provided and can be provided today that were not possible in 1993 such as the pilot food waste recycling program started in Fairfax last year.  

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This new agreement offers the following new services:

  • Free Compost for Residents: Marin Aanitary Service (MSS) shall distribute 15 tons of compost three times per year, spring, summer, and fall. The town will come up with designated location and will provide bunker. A list of compost bin suppliers may be found at: www.calrecycle.ca.gov/organics
  • Food Waste Pilot Program: MSS will develop a food waste pilot program at three multi-family complexes in town. Locations will be mutually agreed upon by the town and MSS. 
  • Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) On Call Pick-Up Program: MSS shall provide residential customers (businesses are excluded from this program) HHW on-call pickup each calendar year at no additional charge by prearranged appointment on their regularly scheduled collection day.  There will be no charge for the following items: household batteries; latex paint in sealed containers (limit of 3 gallons); motor oil in sealed or capped containers (limit of 2 gallons); oil filters; pesticides (limit of 3 gallons); fluorescent lights or tubes; aerosol cans partially filled (empty cans may be placed in dual sort cart); computers and monitors; printers; televisions; and cell phones. No flammable, toxic, or hazardous material will be accepted. All items must be contained in boxes or bags. Customers must call Monday through Friday during normal business hours at least 24 hours in advance to schedule an appointment. MSS shall implement the program no later than Jan. 1, 2012.

Other actions taken at the Fairfax Town Council Oct. 5 meeting:

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  • Approved the town council meeting schedule for 2012
  • Closed town offices from Dec. 27 to Dec. 30. All emergency services will be provided during this time. Police and Fire will work their normal schedule.  
  • Adopted Resolution 11-56 in support of establishing a State of California Investment Bank;
  • Adopted Resolution 11-57 in support of HR 192, Gulf of the Farallon and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Boundary Modification and Protection Act (Congresswoman Woolsey);
  • Adopted Resolution 11-58 in opposition to Department of Justice Crackdown on Medical Marijuana Clinics;
  • Approved a Proclamation honoring Sharon Sagar for her contributions as a member of the Board
  • The Mayor gave a status report on the Fairfax Bike Spine Project, which was approved by the TAM Board. This grant awards the town $110,000 to install signage and street markings for identified bicycle routes to school.  The overall goal is to improve the safety of our town streets for student bicyclists and increase awareness of motorists who share the road with them. The street markings would include colored thermo-plastic markings for maximum visibility. 

Other notes and announcements:

  • Fairfax Food Pantry – Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the , 1000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
  • Vacancy on the Fairfax Youth Commission for Ross Valley youth between 14 and 19 years of age
  • Vacancy for a Fairfax Representative by the Marin Commission on Aging to June 30, 2012
  • SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, Dec. 4 at ,

The next Town Council meeting will be Dec. 7, 2011 at 7 p.m. at the Women’s Club. 


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