“Green Team” Ready to Target Initiatives

Rich Lemoine, UML assistant director of environmental health and safety, and co-chair of the newly appointed

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The first meeting of the newly appointed “Green Team,” named in mid-April to develop a comprehensive, campus-wide recycling initiative, will take place sometime around May 1, according to Rich Lemoine, the UMass Lowell assistant director of environmental health and safety.

“We will be coming together to review past and present measures, as well as to focus on objectives for the coming year,” Lemoine said. He added that specific items on the agenda will include recycling measures, options for a further greening of the campus and possible marketing initiatives.

The long-term goals of the Green Team will include the creation of sustainable reuse and recycling programs, implementation of cost-saving waste management methods, establishment of environmentally sensitive purchasing procedures, and full engagement of the University community.

The Team, which consists of 20-plus members from virtually every facet of University life — student affairs, dining, grounds maintenance, athletics, art, public affairs, purchasing, facilities, residence life, and several more — was named formally by the chancellor just following his inaugural. It also includes at least four student members.

“To have the participation, as we do, from throughout the University community is going to be essential in creating a sustainable environment for the success of this initiative,” said Lemoine. “This is a very encouraging beginning.”

The full roster of Green Team members is as follows: 

Tom Costello, Sponsor, Chief Information Officer; Richard Lemoine, Co-Chair, Asst. Director Environmental Health & Safety; Tim Miliano, Co-Chair, Director of Facilities; Peter Bergeron, Environmental Health & Safety; Jeff Bodwell, Physical Plant; Janet Clark, Toxics Use Reduction Institute; James Kohl, Director of Residence Life; Tony Koumantzelis, Student Affairs; Sandra Seitz, Public Affairs; Chris Monti, Director, Aramark; John Murphy, Superintendent of Grounds; Nick Piscitello, Residence Life; Joe Raymond, Physical Plant; Allison Richards, Purchasing; Peter Murray, Athletics; Karen Roehr, Art Department; David Turcotte, Center for Family, Work and Community; Pat Vaillancourt, Purchasing; Anna Isaak Ross, Art Department; and students Colleen Phalan, Luois DeVito, Cailey Watson and  David Koffman.