Windham Solid Waste Management District (WSWMD)
Brattleboro, Vermont
Finance Committee Meeting
Via ZOOM and In-Person
DRAFT Minutes of September 14, 2023
Committee Members Present: Committee Chair-Merrill Mundell, Wilmington; Patrick Moreland, Brattleboro; Michelle Cherrier, Dummerston; Kevin Hughes, Westminster
Committee Members Absent: James Damato, Readsboro
WSWMD Staff Present: Robert Spencer, Executive Director; John Fay, Programs Manager; Vicki Hayes, Finance & Office Manager; Anita Grant, Administrative & Operations Assistant/District Clerk
Merrill called the meeting to order at 5:34 PM
- Changes and/or Additions to the Agenda: None
- Approval of Minutes- August 2023:
No discussion.
Kevin made the motion to accept the August 2023 minutes as written, Michelle seconded, and the motion was carried.
- Approval of Check Register- August 2023:
There was some discussion about the trademark registration being renewed for Project C.O.W. and Vicki explained that this was the five-year renewal, no action will be needed for another ten years.
Patrick made the motion to accept the August check register, Kevin seconded, and the motion was carried.
- Approval of Financial Statement- August 2023:
Vicki reported that August finished with a surplus of $22,000. She noted that overall revenue was 4% over budget, access sticker sales were still strong due to the increase in the cost of the day pass to $15, and OCC sales were also holding strong.
Patrick made the motion to recommend the Board of Supervisors approve the financials for August 2023, Michelle seconded, and the motion was carried.
- Consider FY 25 Revenue Budget:
Vicki indicated that the first draft of the FY 25 Revenue Budget was very conservative, with most revenues flat rather than showing any increases. Due to the expense portion of the budget not being completed, along with the uncertainty of future contracts for hauling, and lowered compost sales (due to the area being under construction), the committee agreed that conservative was best at this point until the expenses were added.
Line 225 interest income has increased drastically with bank changes from People’s Bank to M&T Bank as the sweep account is now generating a monthly income. Kevin informed the committee that the rate could be higher if the account was set up a different way and Vicki would investigate that option.
Vicki and Bob reiterated that they would like to have the completed FY 25 budget finalized in October by the Finance Committee, approved by the BOS in November, and then ratified by the BOS in December after the three weeks of public hearings have been completed. A special meeting prior to the regular FC meeting in October will take place on 10/10/23 @ 3 p.m.
- Consider FY 25 Capital Plan:
The FY 25 Capital Plan Budget for Rolling Stock was discussed, and Vicki indicated that she created the budget by compounding a 3% increase into each year’s fund for equipment replacement. Patrick asked that the next spreadsheet indicate what years the equipment will be replaced in their description as well as the appropriate year column on the spreadsheet.
She also indicated that she cannot create a Facilities Capital Plan for FY 25 at this point without some building assessments and explained to the committee that the FCP may not be available until FY 26.
- Executive Session (if needed): None
- Other Business: None
- Next Meeting: Special meeting: Tuesday, October 10, 2023 @ 3:00 PM
- Adjournment: 6:27 PM
Minutes prepared by:
Anita Grant
Administrative & Operations Assistant/District Clerk