WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (WSWMD)
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 8, 2018
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Michelle Cherrier, Chair, Dummerston; Lester Dunklee, Dummerston; Cheryl Franklin, Guilford; Lewis Sumner, Halifax; Judy Flower; Jamaica; Dan Toomey, Putney; Irvin Stowell, Townshend; Tim Franklin, Vernon; Nancy Meinhard, Wardsboro; Gig Zboray, Whitingham and Readsboro; and Merrill Mundell, Wilmington
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Jan Ameen, Vice Chair, Westminster; John Allen and Brandie Starr, Brattleboro; David Jones, Brookline; Thomas Baltrus and Kevin Stine, Dover; Sheila Morse, Guilford; Cara Cheyette, Halifax; Andy Coyne, Jamaica; Tony Gordon and Stillman Vonderhorst, Marlboro; Shannon Meckle, Newfane; James Damato, Readsboro; Albert Dupell, Stratton; Dale West, Townshend; Emily Vergobbe, Vernon; and Tom Consolino, Wilmington
WSWMD STAFF PRESENT: Robert Spencer, Executive Director, Kristen Benoit, Program Coordinator/District Clerk; and Dale Bessette, Scalehouse Attendant/Truck Driver
OTHERS PRESENT: Rob Adams, Putney Road Redemption
Ms. Cherrier called the Meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
- Changes to the Agenda: None
2) Approval of Minutes – December 14, 2017 and January 4, 2018:
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the Minutes of December 14th, as amended.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the Minutes of January 4th, as amended. There were 2 abstentions.
3) Approval of Check Register – December 2017 and January 2018: Mr. Spencer reported on various expenditures on the Check Registers.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the December Check Register.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the January Check Register.
4) Financial Report Review – January 2018: The Board of Supervisors reviewed and discussed the Financial Report.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to accept the January Financial Report.
5) Putney Road Redemption Presentation on Deposit Cans & Bottle Collection Redemption: Mr. Adams provided a handout for the Board summarizing the pilot bottle and can redemption program at WSWMD. Mr. Adams noted the program began on October 31, 2017 and has diverted 21,851 redeemable bottles and cans (or 2.32 tons) from WSWMD single stream recycling containers. The program generated $219 for WSWMD education programs and $437 for the Windham County Humane Society. Mr. Adams explained that outreach methods included signage, flyers, and onsite staff from Putney Road Redemption. The Board was supportive of continuing the program.
6) Program Coordinator’s Report:Ms. Benoit reported on WSWMD Annual Report emailed to Supervisors and Town Clerks, SWIP grant, Anaerobic Digester feasibility grant, free Christmas tree recycling program, 2017 HHW collections which serviced 215 households and collected approximately 88 tons of hazardous waste, proposed 2018 HHW collections, and VT Materials Management Plan requirements.
7) Executive Director’s Report:Mr. Spencer reported the Town of Brattleboro is saving approximately $30,000 a year through its curbside compost collection program, through reduced tipping fees for organics compared to trash. Mr. Spencer signed a 1-year contract extension with Save That Stuff for purchase of the District’s baled cardboard. Mr. Spencer stated WSWMD electric bills have decreased by approximately $600/month due to a new usage rate set with Green Mountain Power. Mr. Spencer informed the Board The Commons published an article about Guilford’s decision to stay in the District. Lastly, Mr. Spencer stated WSWMD received its first load of food scraps from Keene State College (KSC). The load weighed approximately 6 tons and the District charges $65/ton tip fee to process the materials. In addition, KSC expressed interest in purchasing BrattleGrow Compost for its athletic fields and grounds.
8) Update on Solar Project: Slide show of construction of solar array. Mr. Spencer reported construction has begun on the proposed solar array. Mr. Spencer showed a slide show of the construction project. Mr. Spencer stated Sky Solar, through GranSolar hired two, onsite, project managers. In addition, Evans Construction, Inc. was hired to complete necessary site improvements including temporary and permanent roadways. Mr. Spencer noted storm water run-off improvements have been completed utilizing WSWMD Brattlegrow Compost.
9) Discuss Improvements to District Website and Transfer Station Signage and Handling of Recyclable Materials: Ms. Cherrier informed the Board she received a complaint from a resident of Dummerston regarding a broken link on the website and full recycling roll-off containers at WSWMD transfer station. Ms. Benoit stated a complete inspection of the website was preformed over the summer of 2017, approximately 180 links were added to website articles, and existing menu items were expanded to include new outreach/education. Ms. Benoit checked all the website links after receiving the complaint and noted 3 articles did have broken links due to the creation of the new menu items. In addition, Ms. Benoit noted the website software is no longer supported and a new website must be created. Ms. Benoit is working on the new website. Mr. Spencer stated that an additional recycling roll-off container was added to WSWMD transfer station as a back-up for when the other containers are full.
10) Consider Act 148 Amendments: Mr. Spencer reported on proposed changes to Act 148, Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law, including allowing haulers to charge for the collection of recyclable materials, and not requiring that haulers collect food scraps.
11) Consider new PILOT Payment MOU: Board of Supervisors discussed the proposed 5.5% PILOT payment to the Town of Brattleboro, reflected in the DRAFT MOU PILOT FY2019 and FY 2020 included in the Board of Supervisor’s package.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the MOU.
12) Consider Sale of WSWMD 2009 International Roll-off Truck: Mr. Spencer informed the Board WSWMD received two bids for the 2009 International Roll-off Truck. Mr. Spencer read the bids into record. The highest bid was $42,000 from Triple T Trucking, Inc. Mrs. Franklin expressed concern regarding the bids, stating dealers across the country list similar trucks on average at $68,000 and noted WSWMD has the right to reject all bids. Mr. Bessette stated the truck does need some repairs including new air tanks and intercooler (cracked). The Board discussed the sale of roll-off truck.
Motion made, seconded, and carried to sell the 2009 International Roll-off Truck to Triple T for $42,000. There were two abstentions.
13) Consider Policy on Preparing Minutes for Meeting with No Quorum: The Board discussed preparing minutes for meetings with no quorum.
Motion made and seconded that if there is no quorum at a Meeting that a staff or Board member will take unofficial notes. Motion withdrawn.
No decisions were made. The agenda item was tabled and will be discussed at the March Board of Supervisors Meeting.
14) Consider New Legal Counsel Due to Retirement of Attorney Chris Callahan: Mr. Spencer informed the Board WSWMD legal counsel, Attorney Chris Callahan, has retired from practice. WSWMD staff has prepared a Request for Proposals for Legal Services. Proposals are due at the end of the month.
15) Executive Session (if needed): None
16) Other Business as Legally Allowed: The Board discussed the need to schedule a Policy/ Personnel Committee Meeting. Ms. Cherrier will propose dates for a meeting.
17) Adjournment:
Motion made, seconded and carried to adjourn the meeting:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Kristen Benoit
Program Coordinator/District Clerk