WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (WSWMD)
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT
FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF January 12, 2017
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Merrill Mundell, Chair, Wilmington; Tony Gordon, Marlboro; Louis Bruso, Jr., Jamaica; Cheryl Franklin, Guilford; Tim Franklin, Vernon; Jim Damato, Readsboro; and Jan Ameen, Westminster.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: David Schoales, Brattleboro.
WSWMD STAFF PRESENT: Bob Spencer, Executive Director; Kristen Benoit, Program Coordinator/District Clerk; Dale Bessette, MRF Sorter/Substitute Scalehouse Attendant; and Skip Bonnett, Assistant Operations Manager/Lead Truck Driver; Vicki Hayes, Admin/Bookkeeper.
OTHERS PRESENT: Stillman Vonderhorst, Marlboro
Mr. Mundell called the Meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
1) Changes and/or Additions to Agenda: None
2) Approval of Minutes from 12/8/16: Motion made, seconded, and carried to approve the Minutes of December 8th.
3) Review of December 2016 Check Register: The committee reviewed the register and discussed some of the expenses.
4) Review of December 2016 Financials: The Finance Committee reviewed the Financials for December 2016. Several line items were discussed. The current deficit and status of the Net Liquid Assets was reviewed.
5) Discuss Potential Rejoining Fee: The Finance Committee discussed the merits of a fee to rejoin the district and would prefer a commitment to rejoin for 3-5 years.
6) Discuss MRF Closure Options and Closure Cost Allocation Plan: Ms. Hayes explained the need for the closure cost funds in July. The committee thought it would be best to pursue a Short Term Loan to fund the costs up front and to bill the Towns as part of the quarterly assessment. Mr. Spencer agreed to do some research on a loan and bank requirements.
7) Discuss Organic Tip Fee Reduction and Impact on FY 18 Budget: There was a discussion regarding the need to reduce the tip fee for Brattleboro organics. TTT has agreed to bring us additional food scraps to offset the reduction in revenue so as not to impact the FY18 budget. There was additional discussion regarding the need for market-rate pricing within the district and the possibility of a Flow Control Ordinance.
A motion was made to Recommend to the Board of Supervisors that they approve the reduction of tip fees on Organics to $50 per ton for in-district suppliers. Seconded and Carried.
8) Consider Options for Financial Deficit for CY and Prior: There was a discussion regarding the deficit with no conclusions.
9) Preliminary Audit Results: There was a discussion on the preliminary findings. Ms Hayes and Mr. Spencer are to discuss the results with the auditors next week.
10) Executive Session (if needed): None
11) Next Finance Committee Meeting: February 9, 2017 @ 5:30 PM
12) Other Business as legally allowed: None
13) Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
Vicki Hayes Bookkeeper/Admin