WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (WSWMD)
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
MINUTES OF MARCH 9, 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; Thomas Baltrus, Dover; Cheryl Franklin, Guilford; Tony Gordon, Marlboro; Johanna Gardner, Newfane; 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; Troy Revis; Guilford; Lewis Sumner and Bradley Rafus, Halifax; Stillman Vonderhorst, Marlboro; 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; Dale Bessette, MRF Sorter/Substitute Scalehouse Attendant/Substitute Truck Driver.
OTHERS PRESENT: Peter Elwell, Brattleboro Town Manger; Rebecca Stone; Readsboro Town Administrator; Zeke Goodband, Dummerston Selectboard Chair; Joe Cook, Dummerston Selectboard; Suzanne Weinberg, Dummerston resident; Chris Mays, Brattleboro Reformer; Wendy Levy, The Commons; Morgan Casella, Dynamic Organics; Frank Ruffolo, Sky Solar and George Mishriki, Sky Solar.
Mr. Bruso, Chair, called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
1) Changes and/or Additions to Agenda: The Board agreed to discuss Agenda items 8 – 11 after agenda item 1, and include Appoint Temporary Treasurer per Loan Conditions as Agenda item 9b.
2) Sky Solar:
• Update on Solar Project: Mr. Ruffolo reported on recent milestones met and upcoming tasks to be completed in development of the solar array, including permitting, project schedule, net metering subscribers, and Brattleboro Organic Energy lease.
• Presentation on Food Waste Anaerobic Digestion Project: Mr. Ruffolo informed the Board of a grant opportunity and possible investment, by Sky Renewable Energy, for the feasibility of an anaerobic digester at the WSWMD. The application includes a feasibility study, technology review, design, continued education, and outreach.
• Consider Letter of Support for Windham Regional Commission Renewable Energy Program Grant: Mr. Ruffolo asked the Board for a Letter of Support for the Windham Regional Commission Renewable Energy Program.
Motion to approve the Letter of Support to the Windham Regional Commission for the Renewable Energy Program Grant.
8) Consider Annual Review of Fees per Charter: Mr. Spencer reported on the estimated expense to provide “free” recycling at WSWMD upon closure of the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) July 1st. A spreadsheet, WSWMD Recycling Drop-off & Estimated Tonnage & Expense and WSWMD Potential Fee Increases, was distributed to the Board. The spreadsheet shows estimated cost to provide recycling, WSWMD tip fees, current tip fees at other regional transfer stations, potential fee increases, and estimated revenue generated from each tip fee increase. The Board discussed increasing tip fees at WSWMD.
Motion made, seconded and carried the District increase the per ton tip fee for trash & C&D to $145/ton effective April 1st.
Motion made, seconded, and carried the District apply a $1.00 service fee per monetary transaction and increase the minimum disposal fee from $10.00/100lbs to $15.00/100lbs, effective April 1st. There were two abstentions.
Dummerston Selectboard members present at the meeting expressed concern over increasing fees for residents and asked the Board to consider waiving the required access permit for Dummerston residents so they may continue to recycle at no additional expense. The Board did not support waiving access fees to residents.
9) Consider short-term Loan and Repayment Options: Mr. Spencer reviewed the need for the loan and its terms with the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Bruso reviewed the “Offer Sheet/Loan Terms” from People’s Bank with the Board. The Board discussed repayment options.
Motion made, seconded, and carried the District apply for a $75,000 short-term loan with the stipulation the loan will abide with current loan terms. There were two nays.
9b) Appoint Temporary Treasurer per Loan Conditions:
Motion made, seconded and carried to appoint Ms. Cherrier as Treasurer per the loan conditions.
10) Consider Giving Recycling Roll-off Containers to Member Towns:
Motion made, seconded, and carried the District loan the recycling roll-off containers, the type of roll-off container currently used by each member community, those towns that request them, to member towns that use them, subject to their availability.
11) Consider Potential for Continued MRF Operations: The Board of Supervisors discussed the potential use/lease of the MRF by member towns that would like to continue recycling collection and processing operations at their own expense, based on a “Fee for Service” basis. Ten communities expressed interest via a show of hands. The Board discussed continued MRF operations.
Motion made, seconded, and failed the Board of Supervisors reverse to decision to “Cease MRF operations for FY 2017-2018”, and such operation is on a solid financial basis, and shall be available on a voluntary basis to member towns that elect to participate on a Fee for Service Basis. There were 12 nays and 9 yeas.
2) Approval of Minutes – January 12, 2017:
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the Minutes.
3) Approval of Check Register – January 2017:
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the check register.
4) Financial Report Review – January 2017:
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the financial report.
5) Program Coordinator’s Report: Ms. Benoit reported on the upcoming Vermont Organics Recycling Summit.
6) Executive Director’s Report: None
12) Executive Sessions (if needed): None
15) Other Business as Legally Allowed: None
14) Adjournment: Motion made, seconded, and carried to adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Kristen Benoit,
District Clerk