Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD)
Brattleboro, Vermont
Board of Supervisors Meeting
Via Zoom and In Person
Draft Minutes of September 10, 2026
Members Present:
Chair: Michelle Cherrier, Dummerston; Vice Chair: Dave Eastman, Guilford; Susan Bellville, Brattleboro; Stanley Noga, Jr, Brookline; Lorena Cuevas, Newfane (alternate); Dan Toomey, Putney; Jim Damato, Readsboro; Jim Pinkerton, Vernon; Liz Spector, Wardsboro; Kate Ullman, Jamaica (late arrival)
Members Absent: Stephen Dotson, Brattleboro (alternate); Doug Wellman, Brookline (alternate); Dan Baliotti, Dover; Stephan Chait, Halifax; Jason Kass, Jamaica (alternate); Ellen Dudley, Marlboro; Carla Meskill, Marlboro (alternate); Doris Knechtel, Newfane; Rickey Harrington, Somerset; Kent Young, Stratton; Irv Stowell, Townshend; Merrill Mundel, Wilmington
WSWMD Staff Present: Robert Spencer, Executive Director; Vicki Hayes, Finance Manager & HR Administrator; Peter Gaskill,
Programs Coordinator; Alex Lacy, Outreach Coordinator; Anita Grant, Office Manager & Operations Liaison/District Clerk
Other Guests: Kevin McGufffy, Marlboro resident
As a quorum was present, the meeting was called to order at 6:03 PM.
- Roll Call of Supervisors: Anita performed a roll call of supervisors present. (9 towns, 9 supervisors) (one late arrival post roll call)
- Changes or Additions to the Agenda:
Dave Eastman requested an update from the Executive Director Search Committee. Michelle added the item to the agenda as Item 10A.
Michelle asked Mr. McGuffy to relay his business to the Board. Mr. McGuffy expressed concern that an employee had questioned him about diverting the line at sticker check-in. He refused to pay the no-sticker-present fee and indicated that the requirement had not been explained to him at the scale house. Mr. McGuffy stated that he would have no issue purchasing a second sticker if the District adopted such a program. Following a brief discussion, it was clarified that Mr. McGuffy had purchased his sticker in May and that the requirement had gone into effect on July 1, 2026. Therefore, he had not been informed of the requirement at the time he purchased his sticker.
- Approval of the Minutes -August 2026: Dave submitted a rewrite on the update from the planning group. Dan Toomey requested that the record reflect that he provided Board members with an update from the Policy & Personnel Committee via email after his internet connection had been restored, following the conclusion of the August meeting. Anita will make the recommended changes.
Dave made the motion to approve the amended August 2026 minutes. Liz seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Approval of Check Register -August 2026: Michelle informed the Board that the Finance Committee had expressed concern regarding equipment repair costs. The Finance Committee passed a motion directing Bob to present a preventative maintenance plan at the October Finance Committee meeting.
Jim Damato motioned to approve the August 2026 check register, Dave seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Approval of the Financial Statement -August 2026: Jim Damato made the motion to approve the August 2026 financial statement, Dan seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Discuss the amendments to the Rich Earth Lease:
Bob reported that the original lease required the building to be appraised every five years. The lease is now in its seventh year, and the required appraisal has not been completed. Bob met with the District’s attorney regarding an amendment to change the appraisal requirement to 90 days prior to lease expiration, at Rich Earth’s expense.
Jim Damato made a motion to amend the lease appraisal requirement from every five years to 90 days prior to lease expiration, at Rich Earth’s expense. Susan seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Bob also noted that Rich Earth has invested more than $100,000 in building improvements and requested that the lease be extended. The Board declined, noting that the current lease does not expire until 2034 and that an extension would be premature before the current term ends and the appraisal is completed.
- Request for Quote (RFQ) for WSWMD Trash & Recycling Services (7/1/27-6/30/32):
Bob reported that the current contract with Casella expires in June 2027 and that an RFQ was sent to haulers to provide bids for hauling and disposal of the District’s transfer station recyclables and trash. The intent is to have prices by December that can be used for the FY 28 budget. The RFQ was sent out on September 9th and coincides with the Town of Brattleboro’s RFP for curbside collection with the intent of coordinating the bids. Bob said that the RFQ also asks for an expression of interest from haulers regarding conversion of the MRF building into a regional transfer station for recyclables, and potentially MSW. The Board discussed the potential use of the currently underutilized MRF space for transfer station operations, depending on the responses received through the RFQ process. Vicki requested to be involved in reviewing the bids and running the numbers before entering into a new contract, as the hauling arrangement may affect the purchase of a new roll-off truck previously planned for FY28. Bids are due by September 30, 2026.
- Programs Coordinator Report- Peter Gaskill:
- Peter reported that, beginning in January 2027, VT ANR/DEC is expected to implement a new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for manufacturers of household hazardous waste. The program would provide reimbursement to the District for eligible disposal costs, helping to offset costs for residents. Once implemented, it would change how fees are collected for certain hazardous waste products, as eligible costs would be reimbursed to the District after disposal rather than charged directly to residents at the time of disposal.
- Peter reviewed the results of the consumer survey conducted from May through August, noting that the findings will help inform potential modifications to the Transfer Station. While some long-time customers are satisfied with the current layout, 61% of respondents reported bringing only one or two bags of trash. Respondents also expressed interest in additional recycling programs, and the overall customer service rating was 96%. The Board noted that approximately 10% of sticker holders responded and discussed conducting another survey in the future to obtain additional feedback.
- Outreach Coordinator’s Report- Alex Lacy:
- Alex reported on her July visit to the Coventry landfill, owned and operated by Casella, and provided a detailed slideshow presentation on landfill operations. Her presentation included an overview of landfill cell construction, leachate and PFAS treatment, and the landfill’s methane capture for electricity generation. The Coventry site is the only operating landfill in Vermont and receives approximately 80% of the state’s waste.
- Alex reported that she has attended Senior Meals in Jamaica, Townshend, and Wardsboro. She plans to attend Senior Meals in Dummerston on 9/23, Brattleboro in October, and Newfane in November.
- She is working with Stephen Dotson (Brattleboro’s Sustainability Coordinator) on educating Brattleboro residents on curbside composting. She noted some confusion since the DPW had started collecting, and one of the educational events will be held at Brooks Memorial Library.
- Alex reported on her work at the Guilford Fair with Dave Eastman and Ted King, where she recovered approximately 520 pounds of food waste and other compostable materials. Using the CCP trailer and signage for the recycling and compost bins, she and the volunteers were able to operate an efficient collection system. She noted that the successful use of the trailer also presents an opportunity for the District to rent it for other events.
- Alex reported that she has been working closely with Bob and Agrilab on the controls for the compost facility. Bob has been training her as part of the transition, and she has also been working with the staff who operate the field. Alex plans to attend the Vermont Compost Operator’s Training on September 28 with Dick Petrie.
- Executive Director’s Report- Bob Spencer:
- Bob reported as part of the transition process, he has been reviewing the District’s contracts and agreements to ensure the incoming Executive Director is up to date on key dates, terms, and content. The review includes contracts related to compost materials, engineering, the solar array, legal services, and operations.
- Bob reported that he has instituted a scavenging policy for employees.
- He has been developing a Standard Operating Procedure for the compost facility including controls and settings, material movement, and load inspections. Bob requested an “as-built” plan from Sanborn Head for the compost facility, as no updated plans have been completed since construction.
- WSWMD continues to receive commercial compost from Casella locations outside of the District. Since they closed their facility in Bennington County, and a farm compost facility in NY state has temporarily closed, WSWMD has been receiving food scraps for approximately seven weeks.
10 A. Search Committee Update:
Michelle provided a brief update on the Executive Director Search Committee, noting that the candidate pool had been narrowed, but that interviews had not yet been scheduled. Considering the November 1st start date requested by Bob, Dave indicated that he wanted to ensure the District was prepared with an interim plan if a new ED had not yet been selected. It was also decided that the Search Committee would have another meeting on 9/22/26.
Dave Eastman made a motion for the Search Committee (Executive Board/Policy & Personnel Committee) to work with the District staff to develop an interim plan, Jim Damato seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
- Executive Session (if needed): N/A
- Other Business: Michelle reported that there would be statutes attached to every agenda in case of a meeting going into Executive Session and future agendas would reflect the change.
- Next Meeting: 10/8/26 @ 6 PM
- Adjournment: Jim made a motion to adjourn, Dan seconded and the meeting was adjourned at the motion to adjourn, at 8:19 PM
Minutes prepared by,
Anita Grant, Office Manager & Operations Liaison/District Clerk