Windham Solid Waste Management District
Policy & Personnel Committee Meeting
Via ZOOM and In-Person
DRAFT Minutes of July 17, 2024
Committee Members Present: Committee Chair-Dan Toomey, Putney; Dan Towler, Brookline; Michelle Cherrier, Dummerston; Sandra Rulewich, Vernon
Additional Board Members Present: None
Committee Members Absent: None
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
Others Present: None
Dan Toomey called the meeting to order at 11:00 AM
- Changes and/or additions to the Agenda: Vicki indicated that the chair had not been officially appointed, since it was the first meeting since the committee was reestablished at the April 2024 reorganization meeting.
Michelle made a motion to re-elect Dan Toomey as the chair of the committee, Dan Towler seconded, and the motion was carried.
- Approval of Minutes of August 17, 2022:
There was some discussion regarding having a meeting annually to approve minutes on a timelier basis, but no motions were made.
Michelle made a motion to accept the minutes of August 17, 2022, as written. Sandra seconded and the motion was carried.
- Discuss policy issue: Bob requested that the Policy & Personnel Committee review the policy on hiring relatives because a recent applicant is Bob’s fourth cousin. Bob wanted to ensure there were no conflicts of interest by clarifying if the applicant would be permitted to be employed under the existing policy and was seeking a specific definition of a “close relative.” After extensive discussion, it was concluded that a fourth cousin was not considered a close relative and could therefore legally apply, be employed, and report to Bob without any issues. The committee expressed their gratitude to Bob for his transparency and efforts.
Dan Towler made a motion that the entire Policy & Personnel Committee agreed that the current policy does not apply to distant cousins, and it would not be a conflict if the applicant was hired. Michelle seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
- Executive Session (if needed): None
- Other Business: Michelle suggested that the Policy & Personnel Committee review the current job descriptions to determine if updates should be made, as some positions overlap with current positions. Dan Toomey and Vicki will collaborate on this matter and bring any job descriptions that need editing to the committee soon.
- Next Meeting: To be determined.
Adjournment: Dan Towler motioned to adjourn, Sandra seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 11:25 AM.
Minutes prepared by:
Anita Grant
Office Manager & Operations Liaison/ District Clerk