WSWMD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020
REGULAR MEETING – 7:00PM
BRATTLEBORO
MINUTES
Members Present: Patrick Moreland, Brattleboro; David Jones, Brookline; Michelle Cherrier, Dummerston (Chair); Michael Becker, Guilford; Lewis Sumner, Halifax; Greg Meulemans, Jamaica; Stillman “Stretch” Vonderhorst, Marlboro; Doris Knechtel, Newfane; Dan Toomey, Putney; James Damato, Readsboro; Sandra Rulewich, Vernon; Russell Hodgkins, Westminster; Merrill Mundell, Wilmington.
Members Absent: Peter Elwell, Brattleboro; Daniel Baliotti, Dover; Cara Cheyette, Halifax; Jessica Pollack, Jamaica; Mike Fitzpatrick, Newfane; Ricky Harrington, Somerset; Kent Young, Stratton; Irvin Stowell, Townshend; Nancy Meinhard, Wardsboro; Sheldon Beebe, Westminster.
WSWMD Staff Present: Athena Lee Bradley, Programs Manager; Vicki Hayes, Office Manager; Wendy M. Levy, District Clerk; Bob Spencer, Executive Director.
Others Present: None.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Michelle Cherrier called the meeting to order at 7:05pm.
Ms. Cherrier welcomed attendees and announced the procedures for this meeting, which was held via teleconferencing and online conferencing.
I. CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Michelle asked for changes or additions to the agenda.
James Damato asked about a follow-up on the Glavel proposal. Michelle said the Board would not address that at this meeting; they will revisit it in the future.
II. ANNUAL REORGANIZATION
1. Introduction of new supervisors
Sandra Rulewich, representing Vernon, is the only new supervisor. All others are returning.
Wendy M. Levy took roll call and recorded the following member-towns’ supervisors and alternates:
Brattleboro: Patrick Moreland; Peter Elwell, alternate.
Brookline: David Jones; no alternate.
Dover: Daniel Baliotti; no alternate.
Dummerston: Michelle Cherrier; no alternate.
Guilford: Michael Becker; no alternate.
Halifax: Lewis Sumner; Cara Cheyette, alternate.
Jamaica: Greg Meulemans; Jessica Pollack, alternate.
Marlboro: Stillman “Stretch” Vonderhorst; no alternate.
Newfane: Doris Knechtel; Mike Fitzpatrick, alternate.
Putney: Dan Toomey; no alternate.
Readsboro: James Damato; no alternate.
Somerset: Ricky Harrington (non-voting member); no alternate.
Stratton: Kent Young; no alternate.
Townshend: Irvin Stowell; no alternate.
Vernon: Sandra Rulewich; no alternate.
Wardsboro: Nancy Meinhard; no alternate.
Westminster: Russell Hodgkins; Sheldon Beebe, alternate.
Wilmington: Merrill Mundell; no alternate.
2. Election of Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Clerk
MOTION BY JAMES DAMATO TO NOMINATE MICHELLE CHERRIER AS CHAIR. DAN TOOMEY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 13-0.
MOTION BY MICHELLE CHERRIER TO NOMINATE PATRICK MORELAND AS VICE CHAIR. JAMES DAMATO SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 13-0.
No Treasurer was nominated.
MOTION BY MICHELLE CHERRIER TO NOMINATE WENDY M. LEVY AS DISTRICT CLERK. DAN TOOMEY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 13-0.
3. Re-establish Executive Board
MOTION BY MERRILL MUNDELL TO RE-ESTABLISH THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. JAMES DAMATO SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 13-0.
4. Confirm Establishment of Committees: Finance, Personnel/Policy
MOTION BY JAMES DAMATO TO ESTABLISH THE FINANCE AND PERSONNEL/POLICY COMMITTEES. STILLMAN “STRETCH” VONDERHORST SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 13-0.
Michelle noted that when the committees meet, they will elect their Chairs and report this at the May Board of Supervisors meeting.
5. Designation of Meeting Places, Dates, Time
MOTION BY MICHELLE CHERRIER TO CONDUCT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETINGS TEN MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR, MEETING EVERY MONTH EXCEPT FEBRUARY AND JULY, ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7PM, AT WSWMD OFFICES AT 327 OLD FERRY ROAD IN BRATTLEBORO. JAMES DAMATO SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 13-0.
6. Designation of Official Newspapers
MOTION BY MICHELLE CHERRIER TO CONTINUE USING THE COMMONS, AND THE DEERFIELD VALLEY NEWS AS OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS. DAN TOOMEY SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 13-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 12, 2020
Michelle asked the Board to approve the minutes from the March 12, 2020 Board of Supervisors meeting. There were no amendments.
MOTION BY JAMES DAMATO TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 12, 2020 MEETING. DORIS KNECHTEL SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 13-0.
IV. APPROVAL OF CHECK REGISTER – MARCH 2020
MOTION BY JAMES DAMATO TO APPROVE THE MARCH 2020 CHECK REGISTER. DORIS KNECHTEL SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 13-0.
There were no questions.
V. APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT – MARCH 2020
Vicki Hayes reported March was a good month for WSWMD’s finances, and almost all of the prior deficit has been recovered. She said the RECs continue coming in, and she and Bob Spencer are being fiscally cautious and minimizing unnecessary expenditures. Transfer station revenue is also good, said Vicki.
Bob compared the financial figures to last year’s, and said a great deal more tonnage of trash and compost are coming in. Bob praised staff, especially the transfer station workers, who are all working full-time. Bob noted there is always one staff person in the WSWMD office.
Vicki pointed out that WSWMD sold 16 cubic yards of compost this week.
Michelle thanked Bob and Vicki.
MOTION BY JAMES DAMATO TO APPROVE THE MARCH 2020 FINANCIAL STATEMENT. DORIS KNECHTEL SECONDED.
Wendy took roll call for this vote:
Brattleboro: yea
Brookline: yea
Dummerston: yea
Guilford: yea
Halifax: yea
Jamaica: yea
Marlboro: yea
Newfane: yea
Putney: yea
Readsboro: yea
Vernon: yea
Westminster: yea
Wilmington: yea
MOTION CARRIED 13-0.
VI. NO SPRING HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE COLLECTION EVENTS
Athena Lee Bradley reported the Agency of Natural Resources exempted solid waste districts from having spring HHW events because of the COVID-19 requirement for social distancing. Athena and Bob are working with our HHW contractor, Heritage Environmental Services, and a state grant, to permit and open a permanent HHW facility, which will likely happen in the summer.
Bob reported he is working with Athena on the facility’s permit application, which will require changes in WSWMD’s SWIP (solid waste implementation plan).
VII. GREEN UP DAY POSTPONED TO MAY 30, 2020
Michelle reported Green Up Day was postponed until May 30. Athena said that date may change; David Jones agreed.
Bob noted that, as per the March Board of Supervisors meeting, WSWMD will charge towns who bring Green Up Day waste to the facility.
David added that this year is Green Up Day’s 50th anniversary, and it may happen in the fall — this year’s date depends on when we “return to normal” from COVID-19. He also mentioned the challenges to the distribution of the event’s collection bags, and noted Department of Transportation staff handles that.
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was none.
IX. OTHER BUSINESS AS LEGALLY ALLOWED
A discussion ensued on changes to the meeting requirements vis-a-vis electronic meetings, ways to improve the audio fidelity of the telephone and online meeting systems, and different programs for remote meetings.
MOTION BY JAMES DAMATO TO ADJOURN AT 7:52PM. STILLMAN “STRETCH” VONDERHORST SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 13-0.