Town of Conway, Massachusetts

P.O. Box 240, Conway, Massachusetts 01341

**FLU VACCINE UPDATE**

None at present.

RECYCLING GUIDE:

Thank you for your recycling efforts over the past year. Following are some guidelines for recycling:

Please DO include the following items in your paper recycling mix:

*Gift-wrap and gift bags (except those with foil, metallic inks, wire, or glitter)
*Greeting cards (except those with foil, wire, glitter, or button batteries from “singing cards” - give button batteries to your transfer station attendant)
*Gift tissue papers (all colors, no metallics or glitter)
*Corrugated cardboard boxes
*Paperboard gift boxes
*Catalogs
*Shopping bags

Please DO NOT include the following items in your recycling:

*Ribbons, bows, and tinsel
*Packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and Styrofoam
(The UPS store in Greenfield accepts clean and dry packing peanuts and bubble wrap for reuse)
*Plastic “blister pack” packaging from toys or tools

If you have any questions about recycling, please contact: Franklin County Solid Waste District at: 413-772-2438, or info@franklincountywastedistrict.org.
MA Relay for the hearing impaired: 711 or 1-800-439-2370 (TTY/TDD) The District is an equal opportunity provider.

For more information please call Conway Public Health Nurse Lisa White at the Franklin Regional Council of Governments 413-774-3167 x 106

Franklin County Solid Waste Management District Collection Days

ANNUAL HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION

None at present.

These are two of the many websites available with information on the subject of a possible influenza pandemic.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services –updated information on the status of the flu virus, frequently asked questions, planning, preparation and response: <www.pandemicflu.gov>

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health – a detailed planning document describing Massachusetts’ preparation for an effective response to a possible influenza epidemic:
<www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/epii/flu/statepln.pdf>

Change in the handling of Bulky Waste at the Conway Transfer Station

Effective May 3, 2006, the transfer station will no longer be able to accept construction and demolition material in the bulky waste open container. Prohibited material includes such items as bricks, cement, sheet rock, shingles, house siding, plywood, windows, wood longer than 4 feet in length, etc. Other items, such as microwave ovens, chairs, sofas, tables, bookcases and shelves, bed frames, etc. will continue to be accepted. Also, mattresses and box springs will be accepted for a fee of $25 each.

It should be noted that the Greenfield Solid Waste Transfer Station will accept construction and demolition materials for the price of $70 per cubic yard. Non-Greenfield residents must also pay a $5 per day User Fee.

New DEP Regulations for Outdoor Hydronic Heaters (OHH)

Please be aware that MassDEP’s final regulations governing Outdoor Hydronic Heaters (also known as OHHs or Outdoor Wood Burning Boilers) are now in effect, as of December 26, 2008. Beginning on that date, only OHHs that meet a strict standard for particulate emissions may be sold for installation in Massachusetts. The regulation sets requirements to minimize the effect of OHHs on neighbors, including property setbacks, minimum stack heights, limits on burning outside the heating season and a prohibition on burning anything except clean seasoned wood. These regulations replace Conway’s regs, originally passed October 23, 2006.

The finalized regulations and a fact sheet are now posted on DEP’s website at:
www.mass.gov/dep/air/laws/regulati.htm.

It is important for anyone considering purchasing and installing a new outdoor boiler and anyone who has an existing outdoor boiler to familiarize themselves with the new regulations to ensure compliance. DEP is the first point of contact with questions regarding their regulation @413 784-1100.

If you live in Conway and are planning to install one of these units, you must obtain a building permit to do so. For information on building permits, contact the Building Inspector @ 413 772-2026.

Information on Avian and Pandemic Influenza
None at present.