WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

MINUTES OF MEETING

DECEMBER 18, 2008

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

Doris Knechtel, Chair, Newfane; Jane Southworth, Brattleboro; Michelle Cherrier, Dummerston; Elizabeth Frye, Guilford, Tony Gordon, Marlboro; James Damato, Readsboro; Jan Ameen, Westminster; Irvin Stowell, Townshend; Neal J. Carter, Newfane; Dan Toomey, Putney; Mike Coutermanche and Bob Spencer, Vernon; Oliver Olsen, Jamaica and Merrill Mundell, Wilmington

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:

Dora Bouboulis, Brattleboro; Brookline; Phil Bartlett and Traci Fletcher, Dover; Lester Dunklee, Dummerston; Richard Holden, Guilford; Mitchell Green and Clifton Inman, Halifax; Stuart Baker, Jamaica; Stillman Vonderhorst, Marlboro; David Hannum, Putney; Priscilla Margola, Readsboro; Albert Dupell, Stratton; Nancy Meinhard, Wardsboro; Clyde Twitchell, Whitingham; Tom Consolino, Wilmington; Scott Bushee and John Spencer, Winhall.

WSWMD STAFF PRESENT:

George Murray, Executive Director; Paul Grandmaison, Financial Manager; Joe Kowalski, Operations Manager; Cindy Sterling. Program Coordinator; Louisa Bomba, Program Intern and Kristen Benoit, Office Manager.

OTHERS PRESENT:

Barbara Sondag; Dick DeGray; and Bob Spencer

Doris Knechtel, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.

1) Adoption of Fiscal Year 2009 Budget:

Mr. Murray first discussed the proposed FY 2010 budget. Mr. Murray mentions the budget is approximately $100,000 less than the previously proposed budget. Recent cuts to the budget include general management, financial management, employee over time, dental insurance benefits, employee uniforms and office cleaning. Additionally, the proposed budget does not included payment of the real estate taxes to the Town of Brattleboro. Mr. Murray discussed the sale of recycled materials. The proposed 2010 budget reflects $350,000. in sales revenue. The Windham Solid Waste Management District is looking for $25,000. - $35,000. per month in recyclable sales. Due to recent drops in the prices of recycled materials, the projected $350,000 in revenue may be overly optimistic based on information at this time. The Capital Equipment Set Aside in the amount of $232,012 is based on a list if capital equipment needed to replace older equipment that is up to 15 years old. The result of the recent changes to the proposed FY 2010 budget is a deficit of $663,000 (including the Capital Improvement Set Aside). The deficit is to be funded through an assessment of $200,000 to the member towns and institute a waste surcharge, which is a fee, levied on all waste generated throughout the district. Windham Solid Waste Management District is one of the only districts in Vermont that does not have waste surcharge. The average surcharge is $20.00/ton throughout the state.

Ms. Southworth indicated that she had a strong objection to the removal of the real estate taxes to the Town of Brattleboro in the proposed budget. The Brattleboro real estate taxes were discussed at length.

A motion was made by Ms. Southworth that the Brattleboro taxes be restored to the budget and the board authorizes the Executive Director in 2009 to negotiate a host agreement with that town. Motion seconded by James Damato. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was passed.

Mr. Olsen indicated that the proposed waste surcharge was his largest concern, as Jamaica will receive the biggest increase in the fee structure and because it is not based on services they receive.

Ms. Ameen commented that the Town of Westminster would like to propose budget changes/cuts. Ms. Ameen proposed that the $232,012 needed for the Capital Equipment Set Aside is quite high. The Capital Improvement Set Aside was discussed at length.

Motion was made by Ms. Ameen for the Board of Supervisors to reduce the Capital Equipment Set Aside to $150,000. ($15,000. For a pick up truck, $15,000. for metal cages, $80,000. for a flare and $40,000. for roll-offs or as many roll-off repairs as possible). The motion was passed.

Motion was made by Mr. Damato to adopt the budget as offered with the change of $150,000. on the capital expenditure. Mr. Mundell seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Ms. Ameen proposed an amendment to the motion, prior to the above motion by Mr. Damato. The amendment is to reduce MRF equipment maintenance expense by $1,000. to make it $40,000., reduce materials and supplies to $40,000. from $45,000.; for a total of cut of $6,000. Amendment Fails.

Motion was made by Mr. Damato to reaffirm we pass the budget with a total expenditure of $1,401,563. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mundell. Upon being put to the vote, the motion passed.

2.) Apportionment of Assessment for Fiscal Year 2010:

Mr. Murray discussed several options for the Board of Supervisors in regards to assessment charges and the proposed waste surcharge. The total assessment figures and proposed waste surcharges received considerable discussion.

Motion was made by Mr. Damato to go to an assessment of $200,000 for the upcoming year. (The waste surcharge would be $17.55). Motion seconded by Ms. Ameen, and passed

Mr. Olsen moved to amend the motion on the table before the final vote. The amendment would set the as assessment at $303,444 and establish a waste surcharge of $13.10/ton. Additionally, Mr. Olsen then moved to withdraw the amended motion. Restate to establish an assessment at $300,000 and establish a waste surcharge of $13.25/ton. Mr. Gordon seconded the amendment. Amendment fails.

3.) Other Business:

Ms. Knechtel announced that Neil Carter has volunteered to be the treasurer. He will step done as an alternate board of supervisor for the Town of Newfane.

Motion was made by Mr. Damato, to elect Neil Carter as treasurer. Contingent on his resignation, (from his current position, effective December 31, 2008) and assume the role of treasurer as of January 1, 2009. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

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4.) Adjournment:

Motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

Kristen Benoit

Office Manager