Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD)
Brattleboro, Vermont
Board of Supervisors Meeting
Via Zoom and In-person
Approved/Amended Minutes of November 10, 2022
Members Present: (In-person & Zoom)
Chair: Michelle Cherrier, Dummerston; Dan Towler, Brookline; Kevin Stine, Dover (alternate); Stephan Chait, Halifax (alternate), Doris Knechtel, Newfane; Dan Toomey, Putney; Irvin Stowell, Townshend; Sandra Rulewich, Vernon; Kevin Hughes, Westminster; Merrill Mundell, Wilmington
Members Absent:
Vice Chair: Patrick Moreland, Brattleboro; Michael Becker, Guilford; Jessica Pollack, Jamaica; Stillman Vonderhorst, Marlboro; Bob Matte, Readsboro; Rickey Harrington, Somerset; Kent Young, Stratton; Wardsboro: Vacant
WSWMD Staff Present: Robert Spencer, Executive Director; John Fay, Programs & Operations Manager
As a quorum was present Michelle called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM
- Changes and/or Additions to the Agenda: Michelle brought forward a request from Shelby Brimmer, from Circle of Life organics collection service for consideration of the Board:
Circle of Life recently lost their only collection vehicle which was totaled in an accident. Therefore, their approximately 40 residential customers in the District are without their usual curbside food scrap service. The request was made that the District waive these customers’ access pass requirements in order to give them a place to drop off food scraps at the transfer station for the month of November. Also discussed was giving these customers a discounted access pass for a longer period of time, just for food scrap drop-off. Circle of Life has been an important partner in advancing diversion of food scraps in the District. After much discussion, it was decided that since the District is a governmental entity that must treat all members with equity, the request would be denied. Those customers, of course, purchase a $40 access pass as all other residential users do. Bob will send Shelby the information, and offer her user information sheets as needed.
- Approval of Minutes from October 13, 2022: Kevin Stine was omitted from the list of members present; in section 6, first paragraph, “5,000 tons” should read “5,000 cubic yards.”
The roll call was reviewed and found that Kevin Stine had not attended the October meeting, this was made public at the December 8, 2022 meeting.
Motion to accept the minutes from October 13, 2022, as corrected; made by Doris, seconded by Irvin. One abstention, and motion carried.
- Approval of October 2022 Check Register: Merrill noted that the fees charged by M&T Bank were being looked into by staff. There was no further discussion on the check register.
Motion to approve the Check Register for October 2022; made by Merrill, seconded by Doris. Motion carried.
- Approval of Financial Statements for October 2022: Merrill noted that the District is still running a surplus, around $28,000.
Motion to approve the Financial Statements for October 2022; made by Kevin Hughes, seconded by Doris. Motion carried.
- Consider FY 24 Budget: Discussion included staff cost of living adjustment (COLA), and market downturn negatively affecting cardboard revenue and single stream recyclables cost. Assessments would increase 10%, after remaining flat for several years.
Motion to approve the FY 24 Budget as presented, with total revenue of $1,127,870, total expenses of $1,288,380, and total assessment of $255,510 pending the public hearing; made by Merrill, seconded by Doris. Motion carried.
- Approve Annual Report to Towns: Bob explained how this annual report is sent to towns for inclusion in their annual reports and/or town meeting literature. Discussion on the confusing term “sorting stations” resulted in a suggested change to “sets of bins for collecting recyclables, food scraps, and trash.”
Motion to accept the Annual Report with one correction was made by Stephan, seconded by Doris. Motion carried.
- Rutland MRF Tour Video: Staff member Alex Lacy took footage and produced an 8-minute video of the Board field trip to Casella’s materials recycling facility (MRF) in Rutland on September 30th. The video was shown, and will be available on the District website once finalized.
- Program Manager’s Report:
- HHW Depot: John reported that the depot closed for the season at the end of October and will reopen in early May. 353 District households were serviced during the 2022 season. This is a slight increase from last year, which in turn was a big increase from 2020 and recent years. User fee revenue almost double to $3,668 due to the increase from $5 to $10 per visit.
- The glass bottle and jar program has been re-instated at the transfer station. This is a result of staff looking for options to reduce our single stream disposal costs, combined with the new availability of a market for the glass in Springfield Vermont. This market turns the material into “processed glass aggregate” which allows for much more tolerance of contamination than the previous market of fiberglass. The glass diverted through this voluntary program will cost roughly $85/ton with trucking, versus about $254/ton which is the current cost of single stream with trucking.
- John also visited the MRF in Keene to explore options of sending material there to save costs. Because the savings would be small if any, and would require sending our revenue stream of corrugated cardboard to them, we are not pursuing it further at this time.
- Our annual SWIP report to the Vermont DEC was accepted as is. Our insurance “mods” are staying low at 0.90 for workers comp, and 0.88 for P&C.
- Executive Director’s Report:
- A venture capital consulting firm called Closed Loop Partnership approached the District about using their composting site for a study they are sponsoring on compostable products in real world compost facilities. It is a 12-month project and will not require much from the District beyond access to the facility and increased monitoring of temperatures. Participation comes with a stipend of $10,000.
- In December we will have a proposal ready to submit to the USDA for next year’s solid waste education and technical assistance grant.
- The compost facility expansion (CFE) is underway. We are spending money on final engineering including a drone survey done earlier this week. Going out to bid in December for construction contractors.
- We received special approval from DEC to accept waste natural sunscreen from Badger Inc, Gilsum NH, at our compost facility.
- Annual performance reviews of staff have been completed; staff had good reviews.
- Bob joined a workshop put on by the Windham Regional Commission for area road agents in Putney last week. The topic was the implementation of the Municipal Roads General Permit (MRGP) requirements for stormwater upgrades along town roads. Bob was looking for long term compost marketing opportunities.
- Executive Session (if needed): None
- Next Meeting: Thursday, December 8th @ 7:00 PM
- Other Business: Michelle noted on a personal level that there is a Lyme disease vaccine trial looking for volunteers for which she could share information to anyone interested.
- Adjournment: Irvin made the motion to adjourn, and Doris seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM
Minutes prepared by,
John Fay
Programs & Operations Manager