Announcing the 2024 FHA/GREEN SCENE Annual Spring Recycling Event

 FOR FEARRINGTON AND GALLOWAY RIDGE RESIDENTS ONLY.

FHA In Partnership with The GREEN SCENE

Saturday, May 18, 2024  Only Between 9:00am and Noon

3 Events — 1 Day: Gathering Place Parking Lot.  

THIS EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE FHA.

1. FREE SHREDDING

Have your confidential documents destroyed on-site, free of charge. Watch as Shimar Recycling Inc. shreds your documents.

Guidelines:

• Bound paper stacks one inch thick or more need to be separated 
• Remove rubber bands and heavy banker's paper clips from papers 
• Paper should not be in binders or heavy plastic.

2. PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE DISPOSAL

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Department will be available to safely dispose of all your old, unused, or expired prescription medications safely and legally.

All you need to do is leave them in the original packaging and hand them to the sheriff deputy on duty at the Gathering Place. No liquid medication or "sharps" (needles) are accepted. Remember: NEVER FLUSH medicines as they cause environmental issues.  

AN ALTERNATIVE TO THROWING AWAY YOUR CURRENT UNUSED, UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES: consider donating them to Chatham Cares Community Pharmacy [CCCP] in Siler City, a non-profit community-based organization operated by a licensed pharmacist and committed to reducing health disparities by providing access to quality pharmacy services to the low-income, uninsured, and underinsured residents of Chatham County. Read all about it here.

3. FIRE EXTINGUISHER CHECK Spring 2023 Information -- Stopping Fires In Your Home With Smoke Alarms And Fire Extinguishers. 

The mission of the North Chatham Volunteer Fire Department is to protect lives, property and the community environment from the destructive effects of fire, disaster or other life hazards by providing public education, incident prevention and emergency response services. The department will have staff and firefighters on hand at the event to check your fire extinguisher and to advise on how to safely use it. 

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REMEMBER that we are no longer able to accept Household Hazardous Waste at our events; however, the County Will Accept Such Waste on This Same Day.

One of Chatham County’s 2023 Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Events will be held on this same day (May 18, 2024) at the County’s Main Recycling Facility approximately 13 miles from Fearrington Village, at [click the address for a MAP] 28 County Services Road, (which is just 6 miles west of Pittsboro, off Hwy 64), between 9:00 am - 3:00 pm on the following schedule:

After the County's May event, there will be six more REMAINING 2024 COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE EVENTS scheduled for the following Saturdays 

(Chatham County Residents Only). No decal is required. Must show ID at HHW events.

• May 18
• June 15
• July 20*
• August 17
• September 21
• October 19
• November 16*

*The Sheriff’s Office will be on-site during these HHW events to conduct a medicine takeback. Learn more details below.

No business waste and no trash will be accepted.

Note that household fire extinguishers must be recycled at one of these scheduled Hazardous Waste Collection Events and cannot be recycled at the County regional Collection Centers. If it is from a business it will NOT be accepted at HHW events. Contact a private company for disposal options.

At HHW events, the county accepts such items as oil-based paints, solvents, stains, bleach, aerosols, cleaners, pesticides, brake fluid, fluorescent light bulbs, propane tanks, etc. Residents can bring 20 gallons of latex paint cans per HHW event. If you have a 1-gallon paint can that has half a gallon of paint in it, it will count as 1 gallon. Latex paint can be safely dried out and put in with your regular trash.

For a complete list, please visit the www.chathamcountync.gov/hhw or contact the Solid Waste & Recycling Division at 919-542-5516 or recycle@chathamcountync.gov.

For information on what items are accepted by the County's HHW program, be sure to visit their website.

April 10th & May 08th, 2024 Programs

 

The April 10, 2024 Program Has Been CANCELED. 

Looking Ahead:
Green Scene May 08, 2024 Meeting Program
Large Room at The Gathering Place, 11:00 AM till Noon
Email Questions, Replies, and/or Comments to: janemcw@aol.com

Topic: Some Scientific "Bright Lights" As ANL Works to Improve Our Nation's Water/Air Quality

On Wednesday, May 8, our 11:00 AM Green Scene Meeting at The Gathering Place will feature a presentation by Seth Darling.  Seth is the Son of our very own Roz and Jon Darling, and he will be speaking to us via Zoom ( on the "big screens" in The Gathering Place ), from his position at the Argonne National Laboratory ( "ANL" ) in Lemont, Illinois. 

Argonne, the first largest national laboratory in the midwest, employing more than 1500 scientists, is owned by the United States Department of Energy, and operated in conjunction with the University of Chicago.

Seth is the Chief Science and Technology Officer of the Advanced Energy Technologies Directorate at Argonne. He also directs the Advanced Materials for Energy-Water Systems ( "AMEWS" ) Center. His research activities have produced pioneering work on the development of new materials for energy and water processing, including membrane materials for water filtration.

Come and learn about some "state of the art" initiatives that are being explored on our road to addressing the world’s water challenges.

And  -  don't forget  -  that on Saturday, May 18, from 9:00 AM until Noon, at The Gathering Place parking lot, we will be having our semi-annual FHA/Green Scene 3-in-1 Spring Event.  Your opportunity to take advantage of free paper shredding, un-needed pharmaceuticals disposal, and picking up some fire prevention information.

 

Mark your calendars, and spread the word !

All are welcome to this ( free ) educational presentation.

Jason Welsch, Moderator
Fearrington Green Scene
Cell Phone: 914-806-4852
Email Questions, Replies, and/or Comments to: janemcw@aol.com

Fearrington Green Scene March 13. 2024 Meeting Program

It’s evident that North Carolina, and Chatham County in particular, is undergoing significant population growth. The management and oversight of this growth fall under the purview of various government agencies, with the Chatham County Planning Department playing a crucial role.

At our March 13th meeting, 31 residents attended the program presented by FOUR members from the Chatham County Planning Department team who discussed the nature of their work, covering Current and Long Range Planning projects, including the UDO (Unified Development Ordinance)  & Drafting, The Comprehensive Chatham County Plan (Plan Chatham 2017), Plan Moncure, Transportation Planning, & Conservation and Resiliency Planning, and shed light on how the ongoing expansion of Fearrington Village, alongside neighboring communities such as Briar Chapel, might unfold in the foreseeable future.

After each team member spoke, there was an engaged Q&A session at the end. This was a fantastic opportunity to gain insights into local planning initiatives and voice any questions or concerns from those attending the program.

Additionally:

Our friends at Briar Chapel Green Scene have extended an invitation to any interested Fearrington residents to attend educational events on a Group Solar Program. A solar designer from Southern Energy Management, Inc will discuss the environmental and cost benefits of solar energy + battery storage, as well as the process of installing solar panels on your home. Meetings will take place at the Briar Chapel Clubhouse on the following dates:

• March 11th, 10 - 11:30 AM

• March 12th, 7 - 8:30 PM

• March 16th, 10 - 11:30 AM

Don't miss out on these informative sessions that could help you explore sustainable energy options for your home.  A golden opportunity to gather information that could prove valuable in possibly evaluating proposals from different solar firms, including a few others who have done installations in Fearrington.

As always, all residents of Fearrington Village and Galloway Ridge are welcome to attend our ( free ) educational presentations.

Jason Welsch, Moderator
Fearrington Green Scene
Cell Phone: 914-806-4852
Email Questions, Replies, and/or Comments to: janemcw@aol.com

United Nations Concerned About PFAS "Forever Chemicals" in North Carolina Water

 

United Nations criticizes 'forever chemical' contamination in North Carolina

 Use the blue hotlink above to open the full article and to view the short related 4 minute 28 seconds video. 

February 22, 2024 -- Experts from the United Nations issued a statement this week criticizing companies for chemical contamination in North Carolina. In a statement, a group from the U.N. that included Marcos Orellana, special rapporteur on toxics and human rights, called out chemical companies DuPont and Chemours. "Even as DuPont and Chemours had information about the toxic impacts...

Chatham County (NC) Shredded Mulch Sales Saturdays March 2024 Through May 2024 / 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM

28 County Services Road, Pittsboro, NC 27330

Saturday mulch sales will take place on the following Saturdays:

• March 2

• March 9

• March 16

• March 23

• April 6

• April 13

• April 20

• April 27

• May 4

• May 11

• May 18

Saturday mulch sales are from 7:30 am to Noon at Chatham County Solid Waste & Recycling Main Facility- 28 County Services Road, Pittsboro.

Mulch sales will take place on Saturdays ONLY from March through May.

There are no mulch sales March 30, due to Easter.

Mulch is $5 per scoop; each scoop is about one cubic yard. We will load large trailers and dump trucks only with a large scoop for $10 per scoop. Note: Saturday sales are cash or check only.

We load, you haul. All loads of mulch MUST be secured. Learn more about securing your load. Tarps are available for purchase at the Main Facility and during mulch sales. The tarps for $3 each and are 6 x 8 feet.

Turning Waste In Water Into Wealth for the Great Lakes Region

 To read this article, use the blue hotlink which is included below.

New water-focused innovation engine aims to turn waste into wealth for Great Lakes region

The waste in our water could soon generate new waves of clean energy development, job creation and economic growth across the Great Lakes thanks to a new regional innovation and economic development initiative launched by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).

Fearrington Green Scene February 14, 2024 Meeting Program

TOPIC: FEARRINGTON COMPOSTS!

11:00 AM UNTIL NOON IN THE GATHERING PLACE

At our April Green Scene meeting last year, we discussed a new community initiative, initiated by Fearrington residents, Cheri DeRosia and husband, David Brown, to try to bring a food waste collection service to Fearrington Village.  Various Village restaurant facilities, as well as the residents of Galloway Ridge, already participate in such a service.

Working with the same vendor already serving the restaurants and Galloway Ridge, the team, calling themselves  “Fearrington Composts!,”  has made impressive progress.  They promote multiple composting techniques in addition to commercial collection services – from backyard compost piles to modern home composting machines.

And at our February Green Scene meeting on Wednesday, February 14 in the large room in The Gathering Place, before an audience of 17 people who attended the meeting, they presented an informative and impressive “status report” on the project, which has great potential to serve you and our community.

The next program, will be on Wednesday March 13, 2024 at 11:00 AM until Noon in The Gathering Place. The topic & program details wlll be announced soon.

As always, all residents of Fearrington Village and Galloway Ridge are welcome to attend our ( free ) educational presentations.

Jason Welsch, Moderator
Fearrington Green Scene
Cell Phone: 914-806-4852
Email Questions, Replies, and/or Comments to: janemcw@aol.com

Fearrington Green Scene January 10, 2024 Program Presentation

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FEARRINGTON VILLAGE DRINKING WATER

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 meeting at 11:00 AM till Noon in The Gathering Place

Those of us who attended the December 13, 2023 meeting experienced an enlightening presentation by Jamie Revels, Utilities Director for the Town of Cary. The presentation was especially enlightening because Cary controls the Water Intake Facility, which is located on the edge of Jordan Lake where our drinking water originates. Cary’s intake facility performs a number of tests of the water on an ongoing basis - with the results ( going back a few years ) are available on their water report website and are now also available via this link on the Green Scene Blog.

A key takeaway from his presentation is the fact that once our water goes through the initial Cary intake process, it is “passed along” to a pumping facility located a short distance away. This facility is controlled by the Chatham County Public Utilities Department and what happens to our water at that point becomes their responsibility. 

This is why we arranged for Blake Mills, Chatham County Director of Public Utilities, together with Chris Summerlin, Assistant Utilities Director, and Daniel Clevenger the Manager of the County Water Treatment Plant who are responsible for the pumping and testing of that water as it travels to our homes who also addressed the 46 residents who attended the presentation.

The PDF file version of the Program Presentation Can Be Accessed By Using This Link.

All are welcome to this ( free ) educational presentation.

Fearrington Green Scene Meeting Program December 13, 2023

Topic: MORE ABOUT FEARRINGTON WATER

All residents who share a concern for the quality of our drinking water are encouraged to attend this ( free ) event.

At our November Green Scene Meeting we heard an enlightening presentation by “Haw Riverkeeper”, Emily Sutton, who outlined the Haw River Assembly’s four-decades-long commitment to “preserving and protecting” the 110 mile long Haw River watershed. Emily pointed out that the Haw River is one of 3 tributaries to Jordan Lake. And, the other two - Morgan Creek and New Hope Creek - are more important to Fearrington residents, because they empty into the Northern end of Jordan Lake. And it is the Town of Cary Water Intake Facility - on the East shore of the Northern part of the lake, just North of Route 64 - from which we in Fearrington get our drinking water.

At our December 13th Green Scene meeting, at 11:00 AM at The Gathering Place, we will hear a presentation by Jamie Revels, the Town of Cary Utilities Director, who will explain to us the logistics ( including monitoring, periodic testing, and testing results ) of the water system between the Cary Intake and our homes. Mr. Revels is a Professional Engineer who has been with Cary for more than 24 years, and has served as Utilities Director for more than 14 years.

Cary’s intake facility performs a number of tests of the water on an ongoing basis - with the results ( going back a few years ). A number of these water quality reports are available on their water report website and are now also available here, where readers can download the full PDF by selecting the associated icons in the menus at the top of each flip book linked below for the years 2012 to 2022:

• http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/1498729-2022-annual-water-quality-report/
• http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/1467830-2021-annual-water-quality-report/
• http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/1370617-2020-annual-water-quality-report/
• http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/1247427-2019-annual-water-quality-report/
• http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/1113892-2018-annual-water-quality-report/
• http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/985016-2017-annual-water-quality-report/
• http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/823629-2016-water-quality-report/
• http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/684048-2015-water-quality-report/
• https://www.townofcary.org/home/showpublisheddocument/21216/636741628594070000/
• https://www.townofcary.org/home/showpublisheddocument/21214/636741628588570000/
• https://www.townofcary.org/home/showpublisheddocument/21212/636741628583730000/

Backlash Forces EPA to Pause Toxic PFAS Waste Imports to US from Netherlands

 To open the article, use the blue link below.

Backlash forces EPA to pause toxic PFAS waste imports to US from Netherlands

North Carolina residents push back against environmental agency bringing 4m lbs of 'forever chemical' waste to region...