Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD)
Brattleboro, Vermont
Board of Supervisors Meeting
Via Zoom and In-person
Draft Minutes of March 10, 2022
Members Present: In-person/Zoom Michelle Cherrier, Chair, Dummerston; Dan Toomey, Putney; Lewis Sumner, Halifax Stephan Chait, Halifax Alternate; Russell Hodgkins, Westminster; Doris Knechtel, Newfane; Merrill Mundell, Wilmington; Irv Stowell, Townshend; Dan Towler, Brookline; Greg Meulemans, Jamaica; Kevin Stine, Dover; Sandra Rulewich, Vernon.
Members Absent: Patrick Moreland, Vice Chair, Brattleboro; Rickey Harrington, Somerset; Kent Young, Stratton; Michael Becker, Guilford; Jim Damato, Readsboro; Nancy Meinhard, Wardsboro; Stillman Vonderhorst, Marlboro.
WSWMD Staff Present: Robert Spencer, Executive Director; John Fay, Programs and Operations Manager; Vicki Hayes, Office Manager/District Clerk; Anita Grant, Admin/Operations Asst.
Michelle announced that the meeting is recorded and is a public record and available to anyone.
Vicki preformed a rollcall of those present.
As a quorum was present Michelle called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
- Changes and/or Additions to the Agenda: None
- Kelsey Wood, Greenbacker Capital – Status and Future of Solar Array: Kelsey began with highlights of Greenbacker Capital since they took over the solar field, which she calls a solar “garden.” The company has invested in numerous solar and wind facilities throughout the U.S., as well as battery storage projects, and most recently a solar project in Maine.
Greenbacker has done numerous repairs and maintenance projects on the WSWMD facility: replaced a faulty transformer, repaired panels damaged by lighting, replaced AC cabling for all 80+ inverters, mowing/trimming twice each year, and annual engineering inspections of the landfill cap and stormwater system. They work with a company who plants pollinator vegetation around the arrays to replace grass and brush and are considering this for the WSWMD facility.
Kelsey showed how the Town of Brattleboro saved $121,000 last year on its electricity costs, and she offered to calculate how much other towns and subscribers saved as a result of the solar garden.
Merrill asked about the security of the Renewable Energy Credits. Kelsey explained that we are locked in at the current rate for another year, they will be shopping around for the next price commitment which should lock in for 3-4 years. Merrill also asked where we will be at the end of the lease? Kelsey said it’s possible to renew the lease with potential technology improvements along the way, or even a new project if a new beneficial situation comes up.
- Approval of Minutes of January 13, 2022: There was no discussion.
Motion to accept the minutes of January 13th as presented; made by Merrill, seconded by Sandra. Motion carried.
- Approval of Check Registers for January and February 2022: There was no discussion.
Motion to approve the Check Register for January 2022; made by Merrill, seconded by Irv. Motion carried.
Motion to approve the Check Register for February 2022; made by Doris, seconded by Merrill. Motion carried.
- Approval of Financial Statements- January and February 2022: Vicki reviewed the highlights for the months of January and February, particularly a surplus of $187,460.88.
Motion to approve the Financial Statement of January and February 2022; made by Doris, seconded by Russ. Motion carried.
- Update on Wilmington HHW Collection: John announced that a one day event will take place on Saturday, July 16th. We expect the cost will be covered by the SWIP grant.
- Programs Manager Report: John said the HHW Depot will open for the season on May 5th and will continue until October on Thursday mornings. It will also be open for a Saturday morning on May 14th. We are currently accepting May appointments.
We have hired a new yard person, Thomas Abare. He has a good attitude and has been working hard and learning the yard procedures and Skip has been teaching him the scale house.
The cost of single stream recycling increased to $122 a ton. Cardboard revenue has been doing well, currently at $158 a ton.
Anita and Alex recently visited town transfer stations, and are planning workshops for schools. We are working with the Vernon elementary school, and the not-for-profit Friends of Vernon Village who owns the historic Governor Hunt House, to conduct workshops and composting technical assistance. Once completed we will be able to roll it out to other schools and institutions.
- Executive Director Report: Bob said the Swap Shop will reopen on April 9th and he and Anita will meet with the Swap volunteers.
We are slightly exceeding our VT DEC permit capacity for a “small composting facility” permit and therefore cannot take on new sources of food waste, and may have to turn away some of our providers. We need to get the next level permit (medium) and to do that we need to construct an enclosed facility. Bob is applying for several grants.
H115 is moving forward in the Vermont legislature. This is for extended producer responsibility for HHW, which would be very beneficial toward funding our hazardous waste program if passed.
Spring marketing for compost sales is beginning. We will be distributing flyers and advertisements.
We hosted NRRA for a workshop, they took a tour of our facility.
The Downtown Brattleboro project went well, there are now food waste bins available.
- Executive Session (if needed): None
- Next Meeting: Thursday, April 14th @ 7 PM.
- Other Business: None
- Adjournment: 8:26 PM.
Minutes prepared by
Vicki Hayes
Office Manager/District Clerk