Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD)
Brattleboro, Vermont
Board of Supervisors Meeting
Via Zoom and In-person
Draft Minutes of October 12, 2023
Members Present: (In-person & Zoom)
Chair: Michelle Cherrier, Dummerston; : Vice Chair: Patrick Moreland, Brattleboro.
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: Michael Becker, Guilford; Jessica Pollack, Jamaica; Stillman Vonderhorst, Marlboro; Rickey Harrington, Somerset; Kent Young, Stratton; Wardsboro: Vacant
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
As a quorum was present Michelle called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM
- Roll Call of Members: Anita performed a roll call of members present.
- Changes and/or Additions to the Agenda: None
- Approval of Minutes from September 2023:
Motion to accept the minutes from September 2023 as written was made by Doris, seconded by Irvin, with one abstention. The motion carried.
- Approval of September 2023 Check Register:
Michelle mentioned that the Finance Committee reviewed the check register, and Merrill talked about the check for the sewer pumps that were replaced, check # 30095. Bob explained that there was still an outstanding bill for the electrician’s work on the pumps.
Motion to approve the Check Register for September 2023 was made by Merrill, seconded by Kevin Hughes, and the motion carried.
- Approval of Financial Statements for September 2023:
Vicki went over the increases in revenue, 3% above budget. She highlighted the increase in OCC loads, access stickers, tires, and strong expense control contributing to the $3,100 surplus. She indicated that cardboard had increased to $83/ton, up $10 from the previous month. She also warned that the slow period would probably start sometime in November or December, depending on the weather.
Motion to approve the Financial Statements for September 2023 was made by Doris, seconded by Merrill, and the motion carried.
- Program Managers Report:
- John held a Compost Open House Workshop on Saturday, 9/28/23, and with the help of a UVM Master composter, had 25 attendees and was well-received by those who attended.
- John and Alex Lacy (USDA temp worker) conducted their first on-site school tour this fiscal year with Dover Elementary School and had 17 students for a fun recycling tour of the WSWMD site.
- He let the Board know that Alex’s video “Where is Away” had received the Municipal Partner Award for 2023 by BCTV (Brattleboro Community Television) and the awards ceremony would be in November.
- The VT Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) conducted a surprise facility inspection two weeks ago. The District had not been inspected since 2017, and he would notify the board of any reports or NOAVs (Notice of Alleged Violation) if there are any resulting from it. He said that it was a brand-new inspector who had visited the site previously.
- Executive Director’s Report:
- Bob reported that he was working with the Vernon town administrator and select board on an RFP for curbside trash and recycling collection as Vernon’s contract with Casella is up for renewal. Bob said he produced an updated list of potential solid waste contractors to send the RFP. Bob thanked Sandra for participating in several meetings.
- WSWMD donated free disposal of 1,400 lbs.of trash ($140.00 value) for the CT River Conservancy Source to Sea cleanup which utilizes vouchers provided to participants.
- He indicated that an employee would be out for about two months for a knee replacement and that not one application had come in for a temporary worker, although the District had been advertising the position.
- Bob mentioned that he had lined up a tentative carpenter/farmer to help with the compost screening in November (weather permitting) so that screening could take place while the staff was short-handed.
- Executive Session (if needed): The meeting went into executive session at 7:33 PM by a unanimous vote for a personnel issue. The meeting exited the executive session at 7:38 PM, and Michelle stated no decisions were made.
- Other Business: Michelle & Merrill stressed the importance of full attendance at the November meeting to approve the FY 25 budget, as a quorum would be mandatory. Doris said that she was very proud of the WSWMD staff and commended their accomplishments, both in the office and in the yard.
- Next Meeting: Thursday, November 9 @ 7:00 PM
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:39 PM
Minutes prepared by,
Anita Grant
Office Manager & Operations Liaison/District Clerk