Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD)
Board of Supervisors Meeting
Via Zoom and In-person @ 327 Old Ferry Rd, Brattleboro
Amended & Approved Minutes of June 13, 2024
Members Present:
Michelle Cherrier, Chair, Dummerston; Dan Towler, Brookline; Stephan Chait, Halifax (alternate); Ellen Dudley, Marlboro, Doris Knechtel, Newfane; Dan Toomey, Putney; Sandra Rulewich, Vernon; Liz Spector, Wardsboro; Lou Bordeaux, Westminster; Merrill Mundell, Wilmington
Members Absent: Patrick Moreland, Vice Chair, Brattleboro; Lewis Sumner, Halifax; Hannah Tustin, Guilford; Kate Ullman, Jamaica; Bob Matte, Readsboro; Rickey Harrington, Somerset; Kent Young, Stratton; Irv Stowell, Townshend
WSWMD Staff Present: Robert Spencer, Executive Director; Vicki Hayes, Finance Manager & HR Administrator; Peter Gaskill, Programs Coordinator; Anita Grant, Office Manager & Operations Liaison, District Clerk
Other Guests: None
As a quorum was present Michelle called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
- Roll Call of Members: Anita performed a roll call of members present
- Changes and/or Additions to the Agenda: None
- Approval of Minutes- May 2024:
Doris made a motion to accept the minutes from May 2024 as written, Sandra seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
- Approval of Check Register- May 2024:
Merrill brought up the multiple Casella checks at the end of May (discussed at FC meeting), to which Anita explained she had reached out to Casella multiple times as WSWMD was not billed for anything through three weeks of May, and the online portal was unavailable.
Doris made the motion to approve the Check Register for May 2024, Sandra seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
- Approval of Financial Statement- May 2024:
Vicki reported that the District finished the month of May with a surplus of $8367.58. She attributed the eradication of the deficit due to the increase in access sticker sales (479= $28,700); compost sales of $25,000 for the month; $4,200 rebate received from Casella for overcharging on recycling and the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) also reimbursed the District $5,000 to offset some of the consulting costs by Steve Horton Consulting- project manager for the CFE.
She also reported that overall revenues were up 6% ahead of budget and expenses stayed static at 4% above budget, and that solar RECs would be about $10,000 shy of the expected amount of $130,000 due to the bad transformer last summer.
Merrill made the motion to approve the Financial Statement for May 2024, Doris seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
- Compost Facility Expansion Update:
Bob reported that the USDA has approved the contracts and that Zaluzny Excavating should be breaking ground for the initial site work in June. A tan-colored fabric temporary building on concrete blocks will be provided by Clear Span with a 20-year warranty. Bob expects to have the new facility ready for the Fall season.
- Programs Coordinator’s Report:
- HHW Depot: Peter reported that the HHW Depot has been busy, servicing many businesses; he’s been attending HW meetings and learning about the different hazardous wastes.
- A new program exists where the District can make up to $1.60/gallon for any paint that is reused rather than recycled. Peter explained he would attempt to implement the reuse program with the Swap Shop, since customers must sign a waiver upon receipt of the paint..
- Peter reported that the EPA has required all Solid Waste Districts to oversee collecting, disposing, and/or recycling vapes. There is still some gray area between the hazardous content in the product end of the vape, as well as the lithium batteries, so it is still unclear how to presently process them.
- Peter will be monitoring the recycling bins as a “Recycling Ranger” to ensure the recycling is done correctly a few hours a week, to hopefully curb the contamination and answer any questions by the residents.
- The Agency of Natural Resources came out with a hazardous waste inspector for an unannounced visit, and Peter said once the report was received, he would share it with the Board.
- Executive Director’s Report:
- A press release was sent out regarding the relationship between Putney Road Redemption and WSWMD and highlighted the 2023 charitable donations.
- Bob relayed that the Finance Committee had been poring over alternative disposal facilities and haulers to Casella for trash and recycling options and that he would like to have a firm proposal for the August meeting for the BOS to approve.
- He has started to evaluate the installation of solar panels on the roof of the MRF building.
- Bob reported that Alex Lacy (Outreach Coordinator) has been very active in her outreach efforts utilizing libraries and town offices in seven (7) District towns and is continuing to reach out to all of them.
- Bob reported that he had been asked by State Senator Wendy Harrison how she could assist towns in addressing Casella’s increasing costs for trash, recycling, and composting. Bob arranged a meeting with John Leddy, President of the Vermont Solid Waste District Manager’s Association, who acknowledged that this is a major issue impacting towns in the state, and he invited Senator Harrison to attend the next meeting of the VT Solid Waste District Manager’s Meeting to discuss the issue with other waste districts.
- Executive Session: None
- Next Meeting: Thursday,
August 9, 2024August 8@ 7 PM - Other Business: Michelle concluded the meeting with a suggestion that new board members tour the District facility. Bob reiterated that WSWMD welcomes tours for residents, schools, businesses, and town select board members. Please contact the office and Bob will schedule tours.
- Adjournment: Doris made the motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Sandra and the meeting adjourned at 7:43 PM.
Minutes prepared by,
Anita Grant
Office Manager & Operations Liaison/District Clerk