Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD)
Brattleboro, Vermont
Board of Supervisors Meeting
Via Zoom and In-person
Draft Minutes of January 8, 2026
Members Present: (In-person & Zoom)
Chair: Michelle Cherrier, Dummerston; Vice Chair (interim): Dan Toomey, Putney; Amanda Ellis-Thurber, Brattleboro; Stanley Noga, Jr, Brookline; Dave Eastman, Guilford; Stephan Chait, Halifax (alternate); Kate Ullman, Jamaica; Doris Knetchel, Newfane; Jim Pinkerton, Vernon; Liz Spector, Wardsboro; Merrill Mundell, Wilmington
Members Absent: Stephen Dotson, Brattleboro (alternate); Doug Wellman, Brookline (alternate); Dan Baliotti, Dover; Lewis Sumner, Halifax; Jessica Pollack, Jamaica (alternate); Ellen Dudley, Marlboro; Carla Meskill, Marlboro (alternate); James Damato, Readsboro; Irvin Stowell, Townshend; Rickey Harrington, Somerset; Kent Young, Stratton; Lou Bordeaux, Westminster
WSWMD Staff Present: Robert Spencer, Executive Director; Vicki Hayes, Finance Manager & HR Administrator; Peter Gaskill, Programs Coordinator; Alex Lacy, Outreach Coordinator; Anita Grant, Office Manager & Operations Liaison/District Clerk
Other Guests: None
- Roll Call of Supervisors: Anita performed a roll call of supervisors present. (11 towns, 11 supervisors)
- Changes or Additions to the Agenda: None
- Approval of Minutes- December 2025:
Jim Pinkerton made the motion to approve the Board of Supervisors minutes from December 2025, Dan Toomey seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Approval of Check Register- December 2025:
Dave Eastman made the motion to approve the Check Register of December 2025, Liz Spector seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Approval of Financial Statement- December 2025:
Vicki reported that December finished with a deficit of $23,000. She indicated that it was the start of the slower season, and that revenues were down from November, but were still at 49% of the budget halfway through the fiscal year. Due to some unforeseen expenses, the month finished at 50.5% of the budget, with salaries and benefits holding strong at 48.3%. She also informed the board that the solar RECs (renewable energy credits) had not yet been paid; there were grant submissions for funds from the USDA and VT DEC/ANR for SWIP and pesticides. Vicki conveyed that the district’s financial health was good and right on track for the time of year.
Merrill Mundell made the motion to approve the Financial Statement of December 2025, Dave Eastman seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Program Coordinator’s Report:
- Peter reported that he had submitted for the total annual funds for the FY25 SWIP (Solid Waste Implementation Plan) reimbursement for just under $38,000. He had also submitted for an $8,800 reimbursement for the annual pesticide grant. He is currently working on the FY 26 SWIP reimbursement as well. These grants are funded by the VT DEC/ANR.
- The yard staff’s safety meeting, originally scheduled for earlier in January, has been rescheduled to Monday, January 12.
- The mixed paper box, placed in the yard on December 1st, had just been emptied for the first time. He said that the mix was very clean, weighed just under two tons, and had made three bales. A discussion ensued regarding boxboard, as it is technically not accepted in cardboard and should be in the mixed paper box.
- He explained that the fabrication work for the cart tipper and trailer was still ongoing. Once the fabrication is complete, the trailer will then go to A’s Auto & Truck Repair in Guilford for the hydraulic retrofit.
- Outreach Coordinator’s Report:
- Alex reported that she and Bob had met with the Brattleboro DPW and the town regarding the proposed program for curbside compost collection. She is working with their staff to update their acceptable materials lists and signage.
- She explained that the USDA grant final report and funds request had been submitted, and has turned her focus on Brattleboro outreach as well as on businesses in general.
- Her latest school outreach has been with the Westminster Center School as well as Brattleboro Union High School. At BUHS, she is working with the Peace Jam students on improving composting and recycling in the cafeteria.
- Front Porch Forum posts create a lot of momentum for her outreach and education. She interacts with the residents one-on- one via email since WSWMD’s FPF has a limited response feature to groups.
- She shared the Compost Collection Program decal that she created for the new trailer. The decal consists of the trademarked cow from Project C.O.W. and the VT food scrap symbol.
- The Guilford Central School Compost Hub pilot has moved into the second phase, where the hub is now user-funded and no longer funded directly by WSWMD.
- Alex has been working closely with Jamaica on signage for their recycling bins to reduce contamination and educate the residents. She created handouts for the transfer station attendant as well as new signage for their recycling boxes. She also offered to tailor-make signs for existing transfer and recycling stations in the district.
- A question was asked about the types of cat litter that could be dropped off for composting at WSWMD, and Alex will be creating a detailed list that will be published on the website.
- Executive Director’s Report:
- Bob reported that the office building’s heating system was still an issue and there have been delays by the contractor, but he is monitoring the situation and hoping to have the system working before the end of the month.
- Hubbard Breeders has resumed dropping off chicken mortalities as of Friday, January 2, 2026, for the 10 tons allowed with the current permit. Bob is waiting for VT DEC’s variance to the compost permit that was applied for in December.
- Bob said that the permit variance could be complicated by the high level of biological oxygen demand (BOD) in stormwater measured in the first sample taken of runoff from the compost pad. He relayed that it was the first significant rainstorm since the compost facility was expanded and was waiting on directions from the state on how to proceed from this point.
- Jean Bonhotal from Cornell Institute of Waste Management visited in December to observe the composting operation regarding the chicken mortalities. She was very impressed with the procedures and remarked that WSWMD’s compost facility is a model and a case study that she would like to include in the book she is writing.
- Bob will be attending the US Composting Council conference in Sacramento the first week of February to make a presentation about the new composting facility. Brian Jerose (Agrilab) & Jean Bonhotal will also be attending.
- Greenbacker Capital sold the solar lease in December, but the new owners have yet to be revealed. He reminded the board that this was the fourth owner since 2018. He also confirmed that Greenbacker Capital would be paying the solar RECs (Renewable Energy Credits) owed to WSWMD within the next week.
- Executive Session (if needed): N/A
- Other Business: Amanda Ellis-Thurber gave a summary of the options that Brattleboro is considering regarding curbside trash, recycling, and compost collection. A discussion took place regarding the potential impact on WSWMD’s current operations. She invited anyone interested to attend the Brattleboro Selectboard meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6 PM.
- Next Meeting:
Finance Committee; Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 5 PM
Board of Supervisors; Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 6 PM
- Adjournment: Dave Eastman made the motion to adjourn at 7:15 PM.
Minutes prepared by,
Anita Grant, Office Manager & Operations Liaison/District Clerk