Q: How do I register for a class?
A: If you would like to register online for a class, please select the class either from the calendar or online catalog and use the links provided to submit your registration. Please note that online registrations are not confirmed until payment has been received by the Town. Registrants may submit a check in person at Town Hall or forward it by mail to:
Town of Portola Valley
Class Registrations
765 Portola Road
Portola Valley, CA 94028
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Q: Where do I store my food scraps before I take them out to the Compostables bin?
A: You may find it convenient to store your food scraps in a small container designed to store food scraps on the kitchen counter or under the sink. You can find many types of containers online; search for “Kitchen Compost Container” or “Kitchen Compost Pail.”
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Q: Why does GreenWaste charge to “rent” a green “Compostables” bin, but the brown Recycling bin is provided for free?
A: Per the Town’s contract, GreenWaste is required to provide a Recycling bin to each household for free. The yard waste/compostables service has been ADDED and the service is free of charge, which provides residents the option of recycling on a higher level (e.g., food waste). If GreenWaste was required to provide another bin to each household, they would have to increase the rates to cover the cost of the additional bins.
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Q: Where can I purchase “Compostable” bags and suitable Compostables bins?
A: Containers and several bag sizes (listed below) available at
Portola Valley Hardware
112 Portola Road
650.851.0116
Bag to Nature
3 Gallon – for Kitchen Container
13 Gallon – Jumbo Kitchen Bags
33 Gallon – Leaf & Yard Waste Bags
Other local stores have additional options – if you have a favorite, talk to Mark at Portola Valley Hardware and he will look into carrying those products.
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Q: Can I put food waste directly into the "Compostables" bin or must the bin have a compostable bag liner?
A: Yes. Residents can put food waste directly into the Compostables bin, however placing these items in a paper bag, newspaper or compostable bag will help maintain a clean bin. If you are going to put food waste in the Compostables bin, it is also a good idea to use an enclosed container to prevent rodents and raccoons from getting in.
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Q: Am I required to put food waste in the “Compostables” bin?
A:
No.
Placing your food waste in the Compostables bin is optional. Kitchen food waste
can continue to go in the garbage if you choose. The yard waste/compostables
service is free of charge and provides residents the option of recycling on a
higher level (e.g., food waste).
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Q: Does GreenWaste provide a "Compostables" label for my own 32-gallon can?
A:
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Q: Can I put food waste and food-soiled paper products into what used to be considered the "Yard Waste" only bin (now the "Compostables" bin)?
A: Yes. Residents using a GreenWaste “Yard Waste” container (and/or a 32-gallon can(s) of their own) are able to place not only their yard trimmings, but also their food waste, food-soiled paper products and compostable items in the Compostables bin as mentioned in the new Recycling Guide
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Q: Is the "Compostables" bin required to be a certain size?
A: Yes. If using their own bin, residents must use a 32-gallon can(s) for their yard trimmings and now compostable/organic material. The container should be labeled “Compostables.” Residents also have the option of renting a green Compostables bin from GreenWaste for a small monthly fee.
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Q: Where can I recycle styrofoam?
A: If you have packing peanuts or other similar packing material, you can take it to the UPS Store, located in the Ladera Country Shopper Center at 3130 Alpine Road in Ladera for reuse.
We are still looking for a reliable source to recycle polystyrene (Styrofoam) items such as egg cartons, meat trays, take out "clam shells,” and so forth.
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Q: Where can I properly dispose of my prescription drugs?
A: At the Town’s Annual Neighborhood Clean Up Day and Prescription Drug Disposal Event held at Ford Field every spring. This years event will be held on the morning of Saturday, May 1, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (or until bins are full).
You may also drop off your old medications at the confidential drop-off containers at the entrance to the Atherton Police Department or at the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office in Redwood City. For addresses and additional drop off locations, please download this flyer from the San Mateo County Health Department: Prescription Drug Disposal Flyer
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Q: When are the ASCC meetings conducted?
A: The ASCC meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Town's Historic Schoolhouse. Often the ASCC conducts a site visit with the applicant and project design team. Adjacent property owners to the subject property under review are notified of the hearing date and time scheduled.
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Q: How do you measure height?
A: Building height is the vertical distance at any point from the natural ground level which existed prior to grading for any building or from the building pad if excavated below natural ground level, whichever level is lower to the highest part of the building directly above. The maximum building height is the vertical distance between the lowest point of contact with the finished ground surface to the highest point of the building or its appurtenance.
The height limit for zoning districts of 1 or more acres is 28'; the maximum height limit is 34'. In the 7.5M - 20M zoning districts the height limit is 15-28'; with a maximum height of 34'. |
Q: What charities will pick up furniture/mattresses in Portola Valley?
A: Try contacting the Ecumenical Hunger Program in East Palo Alto:
In-Kind Donations/Donation Pick-Up
650-323-7781 ext. 10
donald@ehpcares.org
General Office Information
2411 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
650-323-7781
650-833-0371 - Fax
info@ehpcares.org
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Q: Where can I donate used eyeglasses?
A:
In Person:
The Menlo Park Lens Crafters accepts donations of used eyeglasses. Drop your glasses in the box behind the "Start Here Sign." Let a customer service person know if you would like a receipt for your donation.
By Mail:Send your used eyeglasses by mail to the Lions In Sight Warehouse (an official service activity of Lions Clubs International). Lions In Sight also accepts donations of used hearing aids, ink cartridges (any type) and old cell phones. Note: If you would like a receipt for your donation, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. To find out more about Lions In Sight visit www.lionsinsight.org.
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Q: Where can I properly dispose of batteries and compact fluorescent light (CFLs) bulbs?
A: Residents now have the convenience of disposing of these items through GreenWaste by simply placing them in a clear, zip lock bag (each CFL should be placed in a separate bag), and leaving them on top of your recycling bin. Handlers from GreenWaste will then remove them with your scheduled garbage/recycled materials pick up.
This was a very important aspect of the Town's negotiations with GreenWaste and we are pleased this service is now provided as part of your overall service, at no additional charge. |
Q: When does the registration period begin?
A: For full season classes, registration begins a minimum of three weeks prior to the first week of classes/activities, and shall end no later than the end of the second week of the class or activity. For one-day seminars or other short-term classes, you may register at any time prior to the class or until the class is full.
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Q: I’m interested in teaching/instructing a class or activity at Community Hall, how do I get started?
A: Please visit our page for prospective instructors, where you can download and complete the Town’s Instructor Services Agreement. You will also need to attach a brief description of the type of class or activity and make sure that the agreement and all other required documents are submitted in a timely manner so as to be approved and included in the next quarterly class schedule. |
Q: Where can I recycle my tennis shoes?
A:
If your tennis shoes are in good condition, you can donate them to the Woodside Tennis Shop (across the street from Roberts on Woodside Rd). According to a local resident, they donate the shoes that are in reasonable shape to people in Mexico, who are so thankful and who wear them out completely.
If your tennis shoes are worn out, you can recycle them at the Nike Store in the Stanford Shopping Center through the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe program. There is a bin in the back of the store and they will accept any brand of sneaker in any condition. The old tennis shoes are ground up and used for tracks, playgrounds, etc.
The Town will sponsor a Nike Reuse-a-Shoe program at the Town Center in April--stay tuned for more info!
Nike Store
6 Stanford Shopping Center, Suite 6-A
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(650) 326-6957
Woodside Tennis Shop
3048 Woodside Rd
Woodside, CA 94062
(650) 851-1660
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Q: When do I need storey poles?
A: When your application is before the ASCC for review, the perimeter of all proposed structures should be clearly staked and labeled on the site; in addition, the ASCC may ask that you show the actual bulk of the proposed structure with storey poles.
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