MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY
SOLID WASTE TASK COMMITTEE
APRIL 6, 2004, COLE HALL, SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. at Cole Hall in Shaftsbury.
Members present: Andrew Knafel, Bill Pennebaker, Mark Young, Owen Beauchesne, Forrest Snyder, Trevor Mance, Jim Mead, Michael Biddy and Karen Mellinger.
Citizens
present: John Tiffany, Jim Serrao, David Mance and Charles Bushee.
Andrew opened the meeting by citing the need to appoint a chairman and a
secretary. He envisions the chairman as a facilitator, someone who keeps the
group on track. The secretary will be responsible for taking minutes of the
meeting. Karen Mellinger volunteered to take the minutes. A motion was made and
seconded and all were in favor of naming her secretary. Mark Young questioned
whether it would be a conflict of interest for a Planning Commission member to
be chair. Andrew indicated he was not eager to be chair, but would take it only
if no one else volunteered. He noted that Barry Mayer, a member of the Task
Force, was not able to be at this meeting and perhaps he would be interested in
the chair position. After a brief discussion, during which the consensus was
reached that it would not represent a conflict, Owen moved to appoint Andrew
chair, Forrest seconded the motion and all were in favor.
Andrew pointed out that the committee needed to reach agreement on the task in
front of it. There are many different issues relating to solid waste in the
Town. The group is really trying to come up with suggestions that the Planning
Board can incorporate into the Town Plan regarding solid waste. What is the
vision? Andrew has spoken with Jim Sullivan of the Bennington County Regional
Commission (BCRC) about the kinds of things to address. We should insure that
the Town Plan language is what we want first because it is the Plan that backs
up the zoning by-laws. The committee is charged to make recommendations to the
Planning Board. The base is the Town Plan and as much as possible we should have
zoning by-laws that support what we come up with. The work will involve dealing
with the idea of both public and private solid waste issues in town.
Forrest pointed out that his concept of what the group will be involved in is
information gathering. To him that felt “do able” by the November deadline. If
we are going to rewrite the Town Plan as regards solid waste, do we have enough
time?
David Mance suggested to the committee that they be the ones to set the vision.
How much information did they really need for that? Karen Mellinger offered the
point that in considering solid waste in town, the committee must consider the
implications of having privately run facilities in town versus, or in addition
to, a town controlled facility. We should consider both proposals before the
town as though they were not presented by local businesses, because any permits
granted will transfer with ownership. She stressed the importance of keeping the
townspeople informed by having a town-wide informational meeting at some
appropriate time, in addition to possible newspaper columns. We don’t know what
the town would support at this point, so it might be difficult to come up with a
vision now.
Bill Pennebaker questioned whether it was premature to be so concerned about the
timing. John Tiffany offered the thought that once the research has begun, we
will find the answers are there. Owen noted that a vision is an important factor
in allowing all of this to happen; and yet it is difficult to have a vision at
such an early stage.
Discussion ensued re: private operations, municipal facilities, state mandated
recycling and costs. Trevor offered to provide the committee with information
regarding state mandated recycling, its costs, etc. Issues of economics versus
environmental factors surrounding waste and recycling were discussed. Michael
questioned how much incentive there was for a private contractor to encourage
recycling if he is being paid more for the trash per ton. Presently there is no
real enforcement regarding recycling in Shaftsbury. He urged the committee to
consider the bigger picture. The trash that gets transferred out of town now
goes to a burn plant. Casella throws it in the ground. What do we want to do?
How do we want our trash disposed of? Trevor offered to take the committee on
site visits to different disposal facilities to get a clearer picture of how
trash is handled. Bill suggested that while visits may be helpful, perhaps some
questions would be better tackled by looking at the data obtained through
research.
Owen mentioned that most of the discussion has revolved around municipal trash.
We must also be looking at the nature of construction and demolition debris, as
that is a proposal that is before the town. How much of it can be recycled? Both
David and Bill pointed out that a lot depends on the source – c & d waste
changes depending on where it comes from. Chuck Bushee suggested someone take a
look at how Wilmington handles their solid waste. He noted that they once had a
landfill and now run a transfer station.
The committee then began to talk about agenda items for the next meeting. Andrew
will try to obtain language other towns may have in their plans regarding solid
waste facilities. He offered to make available to the group copies of the BCRC
Solid Waste Implementation Plan for review prior to the next meeting. We should
discuss what things we might be able to incorporate into the Town Plan. Owen
volunteered to look into any federal regulations with regard to solid waste
facilities. Trevor and Bill will coordinate getting the state solid waste
guidelines and regulations to the committee.
Jim Mead, as the Select Board representative, will report to that board on the
committee’s activities and again welcome any citizens to attend the Task Force
Committee’s meetings. These meetings will be held every 1st and 3rd Tuesday, at
7:00 p.m. at Cole Hall.
A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to adjourn at 8:40 p.m.