WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (WSWMD)
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 16, 2017
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Louis A. Bruso, Jr., Chair, Jamaica; Jan Ameen, Vice Chair, Westminster; John Allen, Brattleboro; David Jones, Brookline; Michelle Cherrier and Lester Dunklee, Dummerston; Cheryl Franklin, Guilford; Tony Gordon and Stillman Vonderhorst, Marlboro; Johanna Gardner, Newfane (via conference phone); Dan Toomey, Putney; James Damato, Readsboro; Irvin Stowell, Townshend; Tim Franklin, Vernon; Nancy Meinhard, Wardsboro; Clyde Twitchell, Whitingham; and Merrill Mundell, Wilmington.
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: David Schoales, Brattleboro; Thomas Baltrus, Dover; Troy Revis; Guilford; Lewis Sumner and Bradley Rafus, Halifax; Shannon Meckle, Newfane; Gig Zboray, Readsboro; Albert Dupell, Stratton; Emily Vergobbe, Vernon; Tom Consolino, Wilmington; and Scott Bushee, Winhall.
WSWMD STAFF PRESENT: Bob Spencer, Executive Director, Kristen Benoit, District Clerk/Program Coordinator, Vicki Hayes, Administrative Assistance/Bookkeeper; Phil Baker, Scalehouse Attendant; and Skip Bonnett, Assistant Operations Manger/Lead Truck Driver.
OTHERS PRESENT: Patrick Moreland, Brattleboro Assistant Town Manager; Chris Mays, Brattleboro Reformer Reporter; Morgan Casella; and Greg Marguet.
Mr. Bruso, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
1) Changes and/or Additions to Agenda: None
2) Approval of Minutes – January 12, 2017: Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the Minutes.
3) Approval of Check Register – January 2017: The Board of Supervisors reviewed and discussed various expenditures on the check register.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the check register.
4) Financial Report Review – January 2017: The Board reviewed and discussed the financial report.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the financial report.
5) Program Coordinator’s Report: Ms. Benoit reported on event recycling including Strolling of the Heifers and Harris Hill Ski Jump, Closed Loop Fund Grant, Universal Recycling Business Grant, upcoming food scrap generator and composting workshops, purchase of Earth Machine Backyard Compost Bins, and the upcoming spring household hazardous waste collection event.
6) Executive Director’s Report: Mr. Spencer reported on the removal of recycling roll-off containers from the Westminster Town Garage on March 1st, proposed changes to Agency of Natural Resources composting regulations, loss of two MRF employees, an increase in prices paid for paper/cardboard, and potential to sell MRF equipment.
7) Consider Job Vacancy Posting Policy:
Motion made, seconded, and carried to waive Personnel Handbook Policy and only post job vacancy internally.
8) Solar Project Update and Contract for Net Metering Agreement: Mr. Bruso reviewed recent milestones met in the development of the solar array. The Board discussed the solar project.
Mr. Bruso reviewed the Net Metering Agreement with the Board of Supervisors.
Motion made, seconded and carried to approve the Net Metering Agreement.
9) Consider Organics Materials Composting: Mr. Spencer reviewed the WSWMD/Brattleboro Agreement for the Delivery of Compostable Material to the Windham Solid Waste Management District with the Board of Supervisors. It was noted the agreement locks in tipping fees at $50 with CPI adjustments.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to authorize the Chair to sign the Agreement for the Delivery of Compostable Material to the Windham Solid Waste Management District on behalf of the District with one change to paragraph 3 that reflects the same tipping fee for residential organics disposal from all District Municipalities.
11) Consider RFP for Transfer Station Organics Hauling: Mr. Bruso reminded the Board that transfer stations are required to accept food scraps on July 1, 2017 as mandated by Act 148, Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law. The Board discussed Flow Control for organic materials
Motion made, seconded, and carried to send out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for transfer station organic hauling.
10) Consider RFP for Transfer Station Recycling Services: The Board discussed a RFP for recycling services.
Motion made and seconded that the Executive Director prepare a RFP to contract with private haulers, on behalf of member communities, for recycling collection services. Motion withdrawn.
Mr. Spencer noted the RFP includes both 24/7 recycling drop-off site and transfer stations. The Board discussed the proposed RFP, member communities’ commitment to participate in the RFP, and estimated tonnage to receive competitive pricing.
Motion made, seconded, and carried the Executive Director create a model RFP that can be distributed to member towns for recycling services.
12) Consider Potential for Continued MRF Operations:
Motion made, seconded, and failed the Board allow a group of towns to operate the MRF, on limited basis, to explore and consider a price similar to a lease from the District, at no additional cost to non-participating towns, and that those towns be assured a favorable vote from the Board to allow the use of the MRF by those towns. There were 11 nays and 10 yeas. The motion failed.
Motion made, seconded, and carried that interested towns be allowed to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of use of the MRF by member towns that would like to participate, with the support of the District.
13) Future Direction of District: Postponed
14) Executive Sessions (if needed): None
15) Other Business as Legally Allowed: None
16) Adjournment: Motion made, seconded, and carried to adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Kristen Benoit, District Clerk