Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD)
Brattleboro, Vermont
Finance Committee Meeting
Via ZOOM and In-Person
Approved Minutes of October 13, 2022
Committee Members Present: Committee Chair-Merrill Mundell, Wilmington; Patrick Moreland, Brattleboro; Michelle Cherrier, Dummerston
Additional Board Members Present: None
Committee Members Absent: James Damato, Readsboro Alternate
WSWMD Staff Present: Robert Spencer, Executive Director; John Fay, Programs Manager; Vicki Hayes. Finance & Office Manager; Anita Grant, Administrative & Operations Assistant/District Clerk
Others Present: None
Merrill called the meeting to order at 5:43PM
- Changes and/or Additions to the Agenda: None
- Approval of Minutes- August 2022:
Patrick made the motion to accept minutes as written, Michelle seconded and the motion was carried.
- Approval of Check Register- September 2022:
Patrick made the motion to recommend the Board of Supervisors approve the check register, Michelle seconded, and the motion was carried.
- Approval of Financial Statement- September 2022:
- Bob gave a detailed overview of the financials for September. He highlighted the fact that the District is still performing strongly with an approximate $44,000 surplus year-to-date, also pointing out the strong OCC sales paired with the insurance reimbursement from the fried bird incident both helped the revenues even with higher hauling costs and increasing costs for single stream.
- New event bins were purchased, as well as a new weedwhacker, both causing a spike in Materials & Supplies. Advertising costs are way over budget but include over $4,000 worth of signs that are being funded by the current USDA Rural Development grant to improve signage at the District’s and member towns’ transfer stations.
- Vicki and Bob both cautioned that future financials may not be as strong moving forward due to a drop in the cardboard rate for October (falling $40 ton from $93 to $53), and the increase in single stream recycling (from $143/ton to $178/ton).
Michelle made the motion to recommend the Board of Supervisors approve the financials for April 2022, Merrill seconded, and the motion was carried.
- Discuss FY 24 Budget Expenses & Assessment:
Revenue: Vicki discussed that the OCC (cardboard) per ton rate was in at $93, even though cardboard just fell to $53/ton in October 22. After some discussion, it was decided to leave the OCC rate alone as no one could predict the commodity’s future.
Compost sales: Bob explained that he and Joe (yard foreman) would be compost marketing this spring/summer to increase the compost sales. Patrick asked about the permit requirements, and Bob explained that the District is already considered a medium sized facility, and nobody has to get turned away. Even though projected sales are lower than FY 23 budget, it was estimated that any construction would have some effect on the compost field.
Salaries: Vicki explained that she had the salaries in at an 8% increase ,but if she took it down to 6%, it would save an additional $13,000. Bob explained there was no industry standard for increases, and with a no-step or merit program, WSWMD employees relied upon their COLA increases.
Compost testing: Merrill was thinking that the line should contain more than $1,000 to accommodate further compost testing. Bob indicated that the mandatory testing is already being completed and that the line item is appropriately charged.
Other Expenses: Vicki reported that certain line items were being looked at daily and that the staff had created a “Procurement Committee” to discuss expenditures. Joe is also heading the purchasing in the yard to minimize the expenses as well.
HHW Disposal fees: John indicated that if we had a remote collection of hazardous waste every other year vs. annually (and keep the WSWMD Depot open), that could save the District approximately $10,000-20,000/ year. Patrick suggested that John bring the idea to the BOS meeting for further discussion.
- Executive Session (if needed): None
- Other Business: None
- Next Meeting: Thursday, November 10th @ 5:30 PM
- Adjournment: 6:49 PM
Minutes prepared by:
Anita Grant
Administrative & Operations Assistant/District Clerk