Happy Memorial Day! More updates this week. Traffic concerns, changes, Recycling and more.

Greetings,

Welcome to another hectic week at the Center, and out and about.  I will try to be brief and touch on the highlights We are still interested in starting a Mahjong group and with free personal lessons... why not try! Call us for details. 

Before you delve into the week take a few minutes to help Lancaster's Cultural Council decide what is important to support.  Goodness knows needs are great, and funding is minimal- let your survey count! https://www.ci.lancaster.ma.us/cultural-council/webforms/lancaster-cultural-council-community-input-survey-1

As the unofficial start of summer Memorial Day weekend is an exciting time. Before you spark up the BBQ please join the American Legion and Memorial Day Committee and other local organizations to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.   In honor of Memorial Day the Center is closed Monday. 

On with the week. Tomorrow, Wednesday we had planned on hosting Sarah's Spaghetti Supper- is cancelled.  (remember the old ads.. Wednesday is Prince Spaghetti day... ). I am old! Turns out life as a senior (in high school)  is hectic and she extends her apologies but is just too crazy and would like to take a rain check. All proceeds from her supper will fund her project to help renovate our garden and walk, so make sure you save your appetite-she should reschedule soon. 

Now, you will have time to go sort out our awful traffic problems!  Well at least hear some proposals. Join DOT  Wednesday at 7 p.m. to see what they have designed for our awful traffic problems, you know the intersections. Rt 70 and 117 https://www.ci.lancaster.ma.us/home/news/massdot-public-hearing-route-70117-intersections-52318

Thursday:

Start the day with Walking group at 9. I love it that after a long walk, everyone comes back and starts looking for the cookie stash!  No judging, they are walking! Join us at 9. Bring a dog, walk slowly or fast with a friend or not. It is all good. 

9:30: Garden! We harvested today, so good. Radishes are ready- we feasted today! Peas are not far behind. We have plants and some room so it is not too late if you are interested and would like to join us. John just completed our last two beds... so exciting! 

11 Gentle Lower Body Yoga. This special class is a bit more expensive ($10) but a sleek lower body=priceless!

12:45 Lancaster Veterans are invited to the Luther Burbank School for Memorial Day observances. I hope some of you will attend to help some very talented kids honor fallen vets. Details please contact Laura at  lpagington@nrsd.net

Friday:

9 a.m. Join us at the COA Board meeting at 9. We appreciate input, good and bad-really we do! 

1 p.m. Bridge:  A welcoming crew and great snacks. Bridge is good for the mind, and social life. 

The weekend begins! 

Recycling will be closed due to the Holiday-Saturday and Sunday* See note below

Saturday May 26th:

9-12 Lancaster Garden Club Sale:  A great way to find quality, hardy plants and support a great group supporting gardening and beautification in Lancaster. Herbs, a few trees and all with a very low 'carbon foot print'. Reasonably priced too! https://lancastergardenclub.wildapricot.org/

9-12 Free Shred Day!  After sorting those taxes don't you have plenty to shred? Free too!  At Avida Bank on Main St Clinton (just beyond Shaws) 

Sunday May 27th: 

Open Studio: Lancaster Town Hall's resident watercolor artist Folley invites you to view his work in his lovely naturally light studio on the balcony of town hall, Sunday afternoon. . http://http://www.johnfolley.com/jhf-art-blog/open-studio-sunday-may-27

Monday; Memorial Day May 28th: 

9 a.m. Memorial Day Observances and Parade: Town Green, Lancaster. Join the American Legion and the Memorial Day Committee to honor Lancaster's Fallen Heroes. The ceremony begins at 9 on the green with readings and presentations. Following the Ceremony everyone is invited to join in to parade to North Cemetry. Return to the Green for Ice Cream! There is a special invitaion for children to help at the ceremony. https://www.ci.lancaster.ma.us/home/news/children-invited-participate-memorial-day-parade

We will reopen Tuesday with lots of fun ,and of course lots of pancakes. Now a word from  *Below is a note about recyling from Larry Shoer, Lead Recycling Volunteer. 

This is the most important email message I have sent about the Lancaster Recycling Center.  It is not about scheduling or weather.  At one level it is about the status of recycling in the United States, but specifically it is about whether the Lancaster Recycling Center will continue to operate.

I have volunteered at the Recycling Center for almost 20 years.  Almost one year ago I informed the Lancaster Town Administrator that I no longer had time to perform the administrative activities that support the Recycling Center and as of January 1, 2018, would continue as a field volunteer only.  Earlier this year a town employee briefly took over the administrative duties and did an excellent job.  She, however, no longer works for the town and I reluctantly resumed these duties and add to this the difficult challenge of how to keep the Recycling Center open.

Here's the problem.  US citizens recognize the many levels at which recycling is important.  Recycling investment and legislation in the US has not kept pace.  Instead, recycled US materials are often shipped to China on ships that would otherwise be returning empty to Chinese factories.  Since the start of this year China has greatly restricted the recycled items it will accept.  In addition, manufacturer demand for recycled materials has not kept pace with the volume that needs to be processed. These and other factors have caused a near collapse in the value of many recycled items.  

Locally this means that when the large containers at the Lancaster Recycling Center are hauled we are now charged for plastic ($183), newspaper ($253), cardboard ($253), and glass ($290).  We are also charged for electronics.  We receive money for the metals we recycle and for certain items that are left at the Recycling Center (tires, electronics, white goods, etc.).  We also receive patron donations, but these have diminished significantly over the years and now average less than 20 cents per patron visit.

The net result is that the Lancaster Recycling Center is running a monthly deficit of over $1,000.  Today, we are able to pay our bills based on a surplus the Recycling Center accumulated from past successful years.  In approximately eight months the Recycling Center will run out of money.

What are the options other than closing the Recycling Center completely?

We estimate that the present operating cost shortfall can be eliminated if each patron vehicle donated $2.50 when visiting the Recycling Center.

Throughout its history, the Recycling Center has been self-funded, as described above.  The Town of Lancaster could contribute funds to operate the Recycling Center.  (This is not as obvious a solution to the problem as it may appear, because Lancaster taxpayer funding would then pay for recycling by residents of other communities who also use the Lancaster Recycling Center.  Some of these non-resident patrons are also some of our most dedicated volunteers.)

Ask residents to use the recycling services of the companies they presently use to dispose of their rubbish or engage a company to take their recyclable items.

For residents who do not have a recycling option, dispose of their recycled items in their trash.  (I can't tell you how hard it was for me to write this last sentence.)

What happens next?

A volunteer team is needed to develop a plan to keep the Recycling Center in operation.  Please send me an email if you are willing to be a member of this team.

A person is needed to lead this team.  If you are interested, please let me know.

A person is needed to perform the administrative activities that support the Recycling Center.  Please let me know if you can help.

If a team cannot be assembled or if a plan cannot be developed, the Lancaster Recycling Center will cease operations in approximately eight months.

I'm glad to have been a part of providing recycling to Lancaster.  I hope that these services can continue in the future.