WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (WSWMD)
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 12, 2017
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Michelle Cherrier, Chair, Dummerston; Jan Ameen, Vice Chair, Westminster; David Jones, Brookline; Cheryl Franklin, Guilford; Lewis Sumner, Halifax; Tony Gordon, Marlboro; Dan Toomey, Putney; James Damato, Readsboro; Irvin Stowell, Townshend; Nancy Meinhard, Wardsboro; Gig Zboray, Whitingham and Readsboro Alternate; and Merrill Mundell, Wilmington.
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: John Allen and Brandie Starr, Brattleboro; Thomas Baltrus and Kevin Stein, Dover; Lester Dunklee, Dummerston; Sheila Morse, Guilford; Cara Cheyette, Halifax; Judy Flower and Andy Coyne, Jamaica; Stillman Vonderhorst, Marlboro; Shannon Meckle, Newfane; Albert Dupell, Stratton; Dale West, Townshend; Tim Franklin and Emily Vergobbe, Vernon; and Tom Consolino, Wilmington.
WSWMD STAFF PRESENT: Robert Spencer, Executive Director, Kristen Benoit, Program Coordinator/District Clerk; and Dale Bessette, Scalehouse Attendant/Truck Driver.
OTHERS PRESENT: None
Ms. Cherrier called the Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
1)Changes to the Agenda:
2) Report on Putney Road Redemption Center Pilot at WSWMD: Mr. Spencer informed the Board Putney Road Redemption Center has started collecting redeemable bottles and cans at WSWMD. A draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was distributed describing the project. They will make a presentation at the December A portion of the proceeds will go to the Windham Humane Society and WSWMD.
3) Approval of Minutes – October 12, 2017 – Motion made, seconded, and carried to accept the minutes of October 12th. There was one abstention.
4) Approval of Check Register – October 2017: Mr. Spencer reported on various expenditures on the Check Register.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the October Check Register. There was 1 abstention.
5) Financial Report Review – October 2017: The Board of Supervisors reviewed and discussed the Financial Report.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to accept the October Financial Report.
6) Finance Committee Report – FY 2019 Budget: Mr. Mundell informed the Board the Finance Committee is working on the FY 2019 budget. The next budget meeting will be held on November 30th at 6:00 pm. All Supervisors are invited to participate in the meeting.
7) Program Coordinator’s Report:Ms. Benoit reported on the household hazardous waste collection, event recycling, Windham Regional Commission Emergency Planning Committee tour, Dover special meeting, business outreach, Newbrook Elementary Farm & Field Day, and year 3 SWIP requirements.
8) Executive Director’s Report:Mr. Spencer reported on WSWMD compost operations; USDA grant application; new contract with Keene State College to process their food scraps; Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the roll-off containers loaned to towns; Notice of Alleged Violations (NOAVs) for transfer stations not in compliance with Act 148; new Somerset Representative; and Act 148 meeting with Rebecca Ellis, Deputy Commissioner VT DEC; Cathy Jamieson, VT Solid Waste Program Manager; Representative David Deen, and Mrs. Cherrier.
9) Solar Project Update:Mr. Spencer reported on updates with the solar project. Construction is expected to start this month for access roads and storm water management.
10) Consider Act 148 Organics Hauling Requirements: Mr. Spencer reviewed Act 148 Organics Hauling Requirements with the Board of Supervisors and requested the Board take a position on following items discussed at the Vermont Solid Waste District Manager’s Meeting:
- Shall WSWMD Board of Supervisors support the elimination of the hauler requirement to offer to collect organics?
- Shall WSWMD Board of Supervisors support the elimination of the hauler requirement to offer to collect residential organics?
- Shall WSWMD Board of Supervisors support elimination of the hauler requirement to offer to collect residential organics, except in areas where density of residential housing units exceeds 250 per square mile?
Motion made and seconded the District take the position to not eliminate, the hauler requirements to collect a) residential organics and b) residential organics, except in areas where density of residential housing units exceeds 250 per square mile. There were 2 yeas, 9 nays, and 1 abstention. The motion failed.
2) Shall WSWMD Board of Supervisors support the amendment of 10 VSA 6602 to clarify the policy that “fast trash” locations are considered solid waste facilities for the purposes of collecting organics?
Motion made, seconded, and carried the District support fast trash locations having to collect trash, and recyclables.
3)Shall the Board support maintaining the 2020 landfill ban on organics?
Motion made and seconded the District support maintaining the 2020 landfill ban on organics? There were 5 yeas and 7 nays. The motion failed.
11) Consider Termination Agreement for Whitingham Withdrawal:
Motion made, seconded, and carried to accept the Agreement: Termination of Whitingham from Windham Solid Waste Management District.
12) Consider Sale of WSWMD Unused Assets: The Board discussed the sale of the District’s roll-off trucks, a 2009 International roll-off and 2007 Sterling roll-off. WSWMD staff is recommending the Board approve the sale of International roll-off. Mr. Lewis informed the Board Sterling went out of business and there may be difficulties in obtaining parts for truck.
Motion made and seconded the District put the International roll-off container out to bid. Motion withdrawn.
Ms. Ameen suggested the District keep both trucks. WSWMD staff offered to research the availability of parts for the Sterling truck. The sale of the roll-off trucks will be discussed at the December Board Meeting
13) Consider Rejoining fees for Towns that Withdraw: Mr. Mundell informed the Board the Finance Committee discussed rejoining fees for towns that withdraw from the District. Mr. Mundell stated the Finance Committee considered both a flat fee, a percentage of the town’s proposed assessment, and a combination of both flat fee and percentage. The Board discussed various rejoining fees.
Motion made, seconded, and carried the Board adopt a fee for towns that withdraw and choose to rejoin. The fee would be a $2,500 flat fee and 15% of the town’s last assessment. There was 10 yeas, 1 nay, and 1 abstention.
14) Executive Session (if needed): None
15) Other Business as Legally Allowed: None
16) Adjournment: Motion made, seconded and carried to adjourn the meeting:The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Kristen Benoit
- Program Coordinator/District Clerk