Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD)
Brattleboro, Vermont
Finance Committee Meeting
Via ZOOM and In-Person
DRAFT Minutes of October 12, 2023
Committee Members Present: Committee Chair-Merrill Mundell, Wilmington; Patrick Moreland, Brattleboro; Michelle Cherrier, Dummerston; Kevin Hughes, Westminster
Committee Members Absent: James Damato, Readsboro
WSWMD Staff Present: Robert Spencer, Executive Director; John Fay, Programs Manager; Vicki Hayes, Finance Manager & HR Administrator; Anita Grant, Office Manager & Operations Liaison/District Clerk
Merrill called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM
- Changes and/or Additions to the Agenda: None
- Approval of Minutes- September 2023:
Patrick made the motion to accept the minutes as written, Michelle seconded, and the motion carried.
- Approval of Check Registers- September 2023:
A short discussion ensued regarding check # 30095 to VT Sewer & Drain to replace two twenty-year-old sewer lift pumps that were rusty and malfunctioning. Bob explained that there was still an outstanding electrician’s bill related to the pump installation. The committee will review and decide by the end of the fiscal year if the pumps should be characterized as a Capital Facility spend or taken out of operating funds.
Michelle made the motion to accept the September check register, Kevin seconded, and the motion carried.
- Approval of Financial Statements- September 2023:
Vicki reported that September finished with $101,00 in revenue, 3% ahead of the budget. She attributed the strong finish to the increase in OCC sales, tip fees, sales of compost, and sales of access stickers. Vicki did a quick overview of expenses, noting that the $1,600 spent on buildings & grounds maintenance would be supplemented by a $750 VLCT PACIF grant. Strong expense control also contributed to the $3,000 surplus for the month.
Michelle made the motion to recommend the Board of Supervisors approve the financials for September 2023, Patrick seconded, and the motion carried.
- Review & Consider FY 25 Budget:
The Finance Committee met on Tuesday, October 10 for a FY 25 budget workshop. During the workshop, the committee was able to agree on a 4% increase in towns’ assessments for FY 25, down from the proposed 19%. The committee was confident that the budget had been thoroughly prepared and should be brought to the Board of Supervisors’ November meeting. Once the BOS approves the budget, a public hearing will be scheduled for the day of the December meeting, prior to the FC meeting, and brought back to the BOS for ratification. Patrick and the committee thanked the staff at WSWMD who worked diligently at creating the initial budget, and thanked Vicki for starting the process earlier in the year.
- Executive Session (if needed): None
- Next Meeting: Thursday, November 9, 2023, @ 6 PM
- Other Business: None
- Adjournment: 6:30 PM
Minutes prepared by:
Anita Grant
Office Manager & Operations Liaison/District Clerk