January 2011 Meeting Updates

The Bay Village Green Team hit the ground running in the New Year. Despite the weather, the January meeting brought together a few familiar faces of the past along with some new faces from the community–welcome one and all!

In the past the GT has identified and focused on 5 areas of sustainability that include: general sustainability, waste management, transportation, environment and energy & green buildings. Since the budding success of the community garden last summer a 6^th category was added with the heading of local foods.

2011 goals were discussed in each of the areas beginning in communications. Some highlights include: The BVGT fact sheet is currently in its final stage of completion, soon to be ready for release; the team is looking for ideas and writers for monthly “green” articles for submission to the Westlake Bay Observer; arrange for speakers at the monthly meetings on a quarterly basis and develop a presence on the new city website.

For those of you that didn’t know… on January 24^th City council members unanimously voted to pass the implementation of automated trash pick-up in the city beginning this Spring. Although this is a city-sponsored project, the Green Team is in strong support of the increased curbside recycling that will be available. We’ll be promoting recycling awareness as part of the ATP roll-out to help residents identify the proper items to be placed in the recycle bins by creating a label to be attached to the lids of each Recycle bin. The team is currently writing a grant proposal to the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District for funding on a postcard to all residents on the Recycle Bank Program as well as a video explaining how and why to recycle for posting on the City website. The grant will be awarded the end of March. Ideas were discussed on the best method for disposal of existing residential trash cans to avoid being land filled. A city-wide collection and donation to Habitat for Humanity was suggested as one possible solution. Old trash cans can also be easily repurposed for composting or digesting food scraps or animal waste appropriately and responsibly. Here is a great video link for a DIY backyard digester: http://vimeo.com/15752957.

For a complete set of minutes from the January 11^th meeting email us at bayvillagegreenteam@gmail.com. Join us at our next meeting Tuesday, February 8th at 6:30 PM—City Hall. Make a difference, get involved!

2011 Bay Village Round-Up Collection Dates

In conjunction with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District the Bay Village Service Department will have the following Round-Ups collection dates for the 2011 season.

Computer Collection: April 11 – April 16, 2011; August 15 – August 20, 2011

Household Hazardous Waste: April 25 – April 30, 2011; September 12 – September 17, 2011

Tire Collection: August 15 – August 20, 2011

Drop-off your old computers, household hazardous waste and tires during the above dates at the Bay Village Service Center, 31300 Naigle Road, or call the Service Department at (440) 871-1221 for more information. Hours of collection will be Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 11:15am & 12:15pm to 3:00pm.; Saturday hours 8:00am to 12:00pm.

Phone Book recycling collection takes place at 12 Cleveland Metropark locations including the Huntington Beach Reservation in Bay Village (south side of Lake Road) beginning June 1^st running through September 30th.

Green Your Commute

Make a New Year’s Resolution to save money and green your commute. Save wear and tear on your car. Relax --let someone else do the driving! And, do your part to reduce emissions in Northeast Ohio.

The RTA has several bus routes that go in to Downtown Cleveland on weekdays. The cost is $2.25 or $2.50/ride—much cheaper than most downtown parking. And, you can get bus passes that reduce the cost even further.

West Shore Flyer--Route 55F
The Bus route goes through Bay Village—on either Lake Road, Wolf Road, or Osborn—within a few blocks of just about anyone that lives in the City. The route continues on Lake Road to Clifton Boulevard, and on into Downtown Cleveland. Morning eastbound routes run between 6 and 8 AM. Evening westbound routes run between 3:30 and 6:30 PM.

If you live in Westlake, there are several routes that go between Crocker Park and downtown Cleveland. Or, you can catch the 55F at the Clague Road Park-N-Ride (at the intersection of Clague and Wolf Roads)
Westlake Park-N-Ride Route 246
This is a great option if you prefer a route with no stops into Downtown Cleveland. The Park-N-Ride leaves from the RTA Lot that is between Columbia and Clague, off of Sperry Drive. There is also an entrance off of Columbia road in Westlake just past the Rail Road tracks. Morning eastbound routes run between 6 and 8:30 AM. Evening westbound routes run between 3:30 and 6:30 PM.

You can also connect at the Westgate Transit Center to come in to Downtown Cleveland. From the Westgate Transit Center, you can make a connection with several bus routes, including Route 26 or Route 55 into Downtown Cleveland.

Detroit-Wager—Route 46
This bus route is on Detroit Avenue between Crocker Park and the Westgate Transit Center. The westbound route has a stop at the Westlake Park-N-Ride. The bus schedule is hourly throughout the day, ending around 6 PM.
Center Ridge—Route 49
This bus route connects Crocker Park (corner of Market and Main) & St John West Shore Hospital with the Westgate Shopping Center & Fairview Hospital via Center Ridge Road. You can also get a connection at the Westgate Transit Center or the West Park Rapid Station. The bus schedule is hourly throughout the day, ending around 10 PM.

For specific bus routes, schedules, and fares, visit www.riderta.com.

The Bay Village Green Team meets at 6:30 PM on the second Tuesday of each month at the Bay Village City Hall, second floor conference room. Please join us at an upcoming meeting on January 11 or February 8.