MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY
SOLID WASTE TASK COMMITTEE
MAY 4, 2004, COLE HALL, SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Members Present: Andrew Knafel, Bill Pennebaker, Forrest Snyder, Trevor
Mance, Karen Mellinger, Mark Young, Michael Biddy, Jim Mead
Absent: Owen
Beauchesne, Barry Mayer
Public: Chuck Bushey, Audrey and Harvey Rutheiser, David Mance, Jim
Serrao, Lucy Robinson, Katherine Keys
Andrew called the meeting to order and advised that his work schedule does not
permit him to devote the time needed to the chairmanship. He has spoken to Bill
Pennebaker about assuming the chair duties and Bill has agreed to take it on if
nominated. Karen M. made a motion, seconded by Jim Mead to appoint Bill as
Chair. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of the April 6, 2004 meeting were discussed. Bill pointed out that
the minutes on the web site showed a date of April 12. Karen advised that was
the date they were submitted. It was agreed that minutes will not be submitted
for web posting until they have been formally approved, in order to avoid any
confusion. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of April 6. The
motion passed unanimously. As some members had not yet reviewed the April 20
minutes, they were held for approval until the next meeting. Karen will
circulate these minutes to all members for review.
Bill suggested the committee begin fact finding site visits to other waste
management facilities. Discussion ensued as to how to most efficiently complete
the numerous visits. Perhaps the committee could split into smaller groups and
video tape the visits so the information could be shared. If more than a quorum
were involved, this would require a public warning. Karen read aloud the open
meeting law rules which indicated 24 hour notice must be given for a special
meeting. It was agreed that the times and dates for any site visits would be
posted at the Town Hall and the post office, in addition to being sent to the
Bennington Banner.
Trevor suggested the committee visit County Waste in Clifton Park, NY. It is a
large facility that takes in approximately 800 tons a day. The group could get
an idea of the kind of truck traffic, etc. a large facility generates. Mike
suggested the group also visit the Pownal transfer facility, which is
municipally run.
Bill mentioned other possible site visits could be to the Shaftsbury
landfill/transfer station and the proposed Dailey and Mance sites. After
additional discussion, it was agreed that a fact finding site visit to County
Waste on May 13 would be warned. The group will meet at the Town Hall at noon,
in order to carpool over. Trevor advised that it would be a 4 – 5 hour round
trip. A trip to the Pownal transfer station will take place (and will be warned)
on Wednesday, May 12. Committee members will meet at 12:15 at the Pownal site
off of Maple Grove Road. On June 1, the group will meet at 6:00 p.m. at the
Shaftsbury landfill, with the regular meeting at Cole Hall to follow at 7:00
p.m. Any members of the public who wish to participate are warmly welcomed.
Bill then asked for reports from committee members.
Michael Biddy advised that he had visited the Pownal municipal transfer facility
to gather information. He spoke with Bill Bostow (Pownal’s state rep who
volunteers at the facility on Saturdays). Don Prouty runs the facility together
with three other employees. Recycling is free, a fee of $4 for a 30 gallon
container is assessed, receipts (all sequentially numbered) are given. Pownal
owns two 30 yard roll-offs and their own backhoe. Trash is compacted in on the
container using the backhoe. The facility is on a concrete slab with a drain.
Using a pumper truck, they can remove waste water out and then take it to the
sewage treatment plant. Michael was not sure about how well monitored this
process was. The Pownal budget includes $161,000 for waste management - $60,000
is realized in revenues. Residents pay $17 per year for their stickers in
addition to the fee per container.
Mark Young questioned how much recycling is taking place. Michael believes it is
similar in amount to Shaftsbury’s operation. But he thinks the material is taken
east not west (Trevor brings it west to NY). Pownal’s system is fairly involved
– they apply for grants. When the roll offs are filled they are taken away by
Casella. Two free trash days a year are granted to each household. You pick your
own days and you can bring in up to a ¾ ton pick-up full of trash each day.
Lucy Robinson questioned what drives the recycling. She understands that the
town of Williamstown has a very intense recycling program and they are recycling
all kinds of plastic.
Trevor said that he has two routes – a black bag route and a clear bag route.
The black bag route is more expensive. Forrest questioned whether separating is
realistically done once it goes in a bag – Trevor advised no.
Trevor then reported on the Bennington/Casella contract, of which he has copies.
There is no host/community fee paid. Casella does pay $1 per ton if the waste
comes from further than 20 miles away, but nothing is paid for its local waste.
The contract is for 20 years. Tipping fee increases with cost of living
(schedule is attached to contract). In Bennington, Casella does not run the
scrap metal, tire or brush pile. Trevor noted that Casella is not “recycling
friendly”.
Forrest then reported on his conversation with Bonnie Cook of the N.E. Resource
Recovery Association, to which Shaftsbury and TAM belong. In 2005, plastic will
be handled. A facility is opening in NH and it will take #1-#7. Plastic can be
mixed, although #1 and #2 are worth more. #3-#7 could be put in one dumpster and
#1 and #2 in another. Glass: they can take any colored food/beverage glass.
Cost: $10/ton fee in addition to the cost of getting it there. Forrest advised
there is a recycling conference being held on June 7 and 8 in Waterville Valley
which he may attend.
Forrest spoke with Bonnie about pay per bag and how to market that idea to
constituents. She told him that her community, when it went to a fee per bag,
reduced trash by 60%. Forrest expressed to her the concern of increased roadside
trash if a fee per bag is instituted. She acknowledged it seems to happen
initially but that most people adjust. She will send a contact list of people in
other towns. She also advised that they can help with c & d (construction and
demolition) material. For example, they provide fluorescent bulb packaging for
disposal.
Andrew Knafel reported on his efforts to obtain language from other towns
dealing with solid waste issues. He looked into Windham, Rutland, Chittenden and
N.E. Kingdom counties. Not many towns have zoning bylaws on their web sites. In
general, most of the regulations concern those towns that are part of a solid
waste district. Middlebury has a transfer station (it appeared from the Town
Plan language that it came about because no one wanted a dump). As a result of
having a regional transfer station for the District, they receive some money. In
the Town Plan, they talk about economies of scale and identify that as the
reason having the transfer station is good for the town. They have choices re:
private contractors to transfer the waste out of town.
N.E. Kingdom: In talking to the head of the solid waste district (Paul Thomasi),
Andrew learned that they have numerous small transfer stations. They encourage
recycling efforts. Paul indicated that most towns are not prepared as regards
solid waste issues: “some day in the future we may be caught unaware.”
Andrew referred to Coventry, where Casella is trying to add an additional 1,000
ton a day to their facility (they want 400,000 ton a year capacity). Coventry
currently gets $500,000 a year fee. Debate is now ongoing – Canadian communities
on the border are protesting and want party status to the Act 250 review.
Lucy asked Andrew whether the transfer stations were district run or privately
run. Andrew: Middlebury station is municipally controlled, but he does not know
about the others.
Bill noted the Barre Town Plan, which has language dealing with solid waste
management and citing criteria. That community is actively working in this area
based on difficulties they have been presented with.
Jim Mead reported on his conversations with Julie Heckbarth and the BCRC. A town
does have the authority to set up a host town agreement. He also spoke with Rick
Maguire, the Williston Town Manager. They do not have much language in their
plan. Rick commented on the fact that there is a problem with congestion and
truck traffic related to the waste transfer station. Jim provided some details
of the per ton fee charged by the town.
Chuck Bushey reported on his contacts with Sonya Alexander, who is Town Manager
in Wilmington. In 1992, the town reorganized from operating a landfill to a
transfer station. Chuck made available copies of their site plan and fee
schedule. He advised that when the town went to a fee per bag, there was a 50%
reduction in waste because people began to recycle more heavily. Wilmington is
recycling friendly – they provide barrels downtown for the convenience of
people, in addition to at the transfer station. The town handles the metal on
its own and earns revenue from it. Chuck thinks with a per bag fee we might
reduce the number of people who bring their trash in from elsewhere.
Wilmington pays $90 ton for disposal to TTT in Brattleboro, whether it is c & d
or trash. Chuck reviewed their tonnage/year figures. Wilmington is a member of
the Windham District; therefore, they rely on the District Plan. Chuck asked the
question “Do we want to be part of a district?” Wilmington concluded that rather
than proceed on their own, they would join the district plan – in order to
proceed on their own they would have had to have more staff, etc.
Chuck suggested the committee contact the VT Leagues of Cities and Towns to
determine whether there is information regarding how much towns pay for
disposing of their trash. Comparisons of different disposal methods could be
made. He also suggested that the committee set up a “reading file” at the Town
Hall for anyone who might be interested in reviewing material being collected.
The committee agreed this was a terrific idea and would be done.
Jim Serrao questioned whether information was being relayed to the Planning
Commission. Andrew responded that reports are given monthly to both the Planning
Commission and the Select Board by their respective representatives on the Solid
Waste Committee.
Michael Biddy then made a motion, seconded by Mark, to adjoin the meeting at
approximately 9:30 p.m.
Submitted by Karen Mellinger