Board of Supervisors Meeting–Minutes 11/12/2020

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Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD)

Brattleboro, Vermont

Board of Supervisors Meeting

Via ZOOM/ Limited In Person Draft Minutes of November 12, 2020 

Members Present: Michelle Cherrier, Chair, Dummerston; Patrick Moreland, Vice Chair,Brattleboro; Dan Toomey, Putney; Sandra Ruelwich, Vernon; Nancy Meinhard, Wardsboro; Russell Hodgkins, Westminster; Merrill Mundell, Wilmington.

In Person: James Damato, Readsboro; Lewis Sumner, Halifax; Irvin Stowell, Townshend.

Members Absent: David Jones, Brookline; Michael Becker, Guilford; Stillman Vonderhorst, Marlboro; Rickey Harrington, Somerset; Kent Young, Stratton;. Kevin Stine, Dover; Greg Meulemans, Jamaica; Doris Knechtel, Newfane;

WSWMD Staff Present: Robert Spencer, Executive Director, In Person; Vicki Hayes, Office Manager/Bookkeeper/District Clerk; John Fay, Programs Manager.

Others Present: None

Vicki performed a roll call, as a quorum was present Michelle called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M.

  1. Changes and/or Additions to the Agenda: None
  1. Approval of Minutes of October 8th,2020:


Russ made a motion to approve the minutes of October 8, 2020 as submitted, Jim seconded. There was no discussion, motion carried with one abstention, Jim Damato.

  1. Approval of Check Register – October 2020:

Jim made a motion to approve the check register of October 2020, Sandra seconded.

Merrill mentioned that check 28096 was for multiple invoices although the description only covered one, Bob explained that the So. Vt Sprinkler check 28103 will be covered by the HHW Depot Grant.

The motion was carried.

  1. Approval of Financial Statement – October 2020: Patrick made note of the significant surplus. Vicki pointed out that we are going into the slower part of the year.

Merrill made a motion approve the financial statement, Russ seconded, and the motion carried.

  1. Approval of Fy22 Budget and Capital Plan: The Finance Committee discussed the new Capital Plan and how it should be a smooth process going forward and should keep large fluctuations of the assessment for needed equipment replacement to a minimum. It was also explained that a Capital Fund would be set up to keep the cash separate from operating cash. Patrick commented on the work to keep the assessment flat for the benefit of the towns, that not only was the Capital Fund included, but the salary adjustments recommended for the staff by Municipal Resources Inc. (the wage and salary study), were also included. Dan asked about the increased lease revenue from Greenbacker over prior year. Bob explained that when Greenbacker purchased the facility from Sky Solar last year, that they had an “as built” property survey, and that documented an additional 4 acres, which increased annual lease payments. Vicki said that the annual budget public hearing will be on December 10th at 6:30PM following the SWIP public hearing. The Finance Committee will attend the budget public hearing.

Merrill made the motion to approve the FY22 Budget and Capital Plan with Revenue of $899,690, Expenses of $1,132,177, which included the Capital Plan Funds, and Total Assessment of $232,487. Seconded by Jim and the motion carried.

  1. Update on Rich Earth Lease: Michelle stated that the Executive Board met and approved the revised lease per the Board of Supervisor’s approval at the October 8 meeting, and that she and Abe signed the lease. Sky Solar confirmed, in two letters, their intent to remove the generator from the site, and that the land under the generators reverts to WSWMD. Attorney Daniel Richardson reviewed the two letters and stated they provide adequate guarantees.
  1. Programs Manager: Summary of HHW Collections in Brattleboro and Wilmington, and USDA Technical Assistance Grant Update:

John spoke of the smooth HHW collections at both locations on October 24th, with Bob managing Wilmington, and John managing Brattleboro. There were a total of 230 participants, about the same number as the 4 events served in 2019. John reviewed the past 10 years of total participants, by town, per the spread sheet he prepared, which shows the number of participants have declined over the years. The good turnout for this year was probably due to COVIID with residents being at home during the COVID pandemic. The HHW Depot should be open in spring, and we are still awaiting final permit approval from VT DEC. There was discussion of the potential need for satellite collections in the out-laying towns even with the HHW drop-off depot open weekly from April through October. John agreed to look into the issue, and other options to collect and transport HHW to Brattleboro, instead of an expensive separate collection event. Vicki brought up the truck insurance needed for transport of HHW. This will be reviewed with VLCT PACIF, our insurance provider. John will contact other districts to see how they conduct HHW collection without a contracted vendor.

John also discussed the USDA technical assistance grant of $33,000 to assist towns in improving their recycling programs. The grant provides funds to cover staff hours for this purpose. John will be reaching out to towns with a letter, by mid December, to ask about their needs. He pointed out that Brattleboro’s population exceeds the criteria for USDA grant assistance, but there are other program funds to assist Brattlelboro.

  1. Executive Session (if needed): None.
  1. Other Business: Jim brought up the loan of District roll-off containers to member towns, and that the subcommittee which has been looking at various options has not met since spring. He pointed out that there are various opinions about selling the containers, charging for their use, or continuing the free use of the containers. It was suggested that the committee meet and develop a position statement after the 1st of the new year.

10: Next Meeting: December 10th @ 7:00 P.M.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 P.M.

Minutes submitted by

 

Vicki Hayes

District Clerk