MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY
SOLID WASTE TASK COMMITTEE
MAY 18, 2004, COLE HALL, SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Attending: Forrest Snyder, Bill Pennebaker, Michael Biddy, Andrew Knafel,
Jim Mead, Karen Mellinger, Mark Young
Absent: Barry Mayer, Owen Beauchesne, Trevor Mance
Public attending: Jim Serrao, Audrey and Harvey Rutheiser, John Tiffany
Bill Pennebaker called the meeting to order. Andrew made a motion, seconded by
Forrest, to approve the minutes of April 20, 2004. All were in favor. The
minutes of May 4, 2004 were discussed. It was noted by Karen Mellinger that
County Waste in Clifton Park takes in 300 ton a day, not 800 ton as estimated in
the May 4 minutes (this information was provided on the May 13 site visit to
County Waste). Also noted was the fact Pownal takes in $110,000 per year in
revenue at their transfer station, rather than $60,000 as estimated in the May 4
minutes. Both numbers were noted. Bill noted for the minutes that in his
conversations with Rockingham, officials there indicated that they are working
on language re: solid waste for their town plan. They are about two months ahead
of us and will send us what they come up with. Forrest moved to accept the
minutes of May 4, 2004, Mark seconded and all voted in favor.
Bill presented the video image of the May 14 site visit to the Pownal Transfer
Station, together with a map of the site. Interesting facts noted: Pownal has a
book swap section at their transfer station. All recyclables are co-mingled and
TAM picks them up for disposal. Don Prouty runs the station; he is paid for 32
hours a week, although he volunteers many more hours of his time. He is retired
military, so he does not have a need for benefits. In addition, Pownal employs 3
other part-time employees at minimum wage, with no benefits. This year Don
estimates a cost for running the landfill of $140,000, offset by revenue of
$110,000 – leaving a total budget cost of $30,000. Townspeople pay $17.00/year
for their sticker and $3/bag disposal fee. Recyclables are free and each
household has two free dump days a year at which they can dispose of as much as
a ¾ ton pickup truck size of debris. Pownal has its own backhoe and owns two
containers. Jim advised that Pownal pays approximately $180.00 for each
container removed by Casella; a container holds 7-8 tons. Michael advised that
his information from Don Prouty indicates they pay $79/ton in addition to the
$180/pull so their per ton charge is approximately $104-$105. At this time,
Pownal receives $6.80/ton for the metal.
It appears Pownal does not have a methane problem. They burn their brush pile.
It was noted that we cannot burn our brush pile because of methane problems
(this according to Jim, who spoke with Kate Adams of Griffin International – the
company used to help monitor the landfill). Now we are paying to crush our
brush.
Bill then presented the video image of the County Waste facility in Clifton
Park. Discussion ensued regarding the site and its operation. This is the
facility where TAM takes Shaftsbury’s waste.
Bill asked if there were other sites we ought to visit. Andrew will contact
Dorset and Windham to get information on their facilities. Mark Young will
contact BCRC to determine if there are other C & D sites around. Jim Mead will
contact Stu Hurd about Burgess Brothers to determine what the status of that
expansion operation is.
Jim Serrao expressed the feeling that the committee was “wasting time”. It was
his understanding that the charge of the committee was to specifically look at
the two private proposals (TAM and Dailey C&D) before Shaftsbury and address
possible language in the Town Plan regarding those two commercial proposals. He
noted that it appeared the Dailey C & D site might not be an issue as a result
of the sale to Peckham Industries. John Tiffany concurred. The committee members
advised that they understood their charge from the Planning Commission and the
Select Board was to examine the issues of solid waste and gather information,
not to look at any specific proposal. Karen Mellinger pointed out that an
examination of specific proposals before rewriting any language could be subject
to a charge of spot zoning. Discussion ensued regarding the hopes of the
committee to gather information regarding alternative plans for the Town of
Shaftsbury and the consequences of different plans. Should the Select Board
decide to have a town wide informational meeting, this information could be
presented and the townspeople would have an opportunity to voice their opinions.
Karen advised that the “reading file” has been created, subject to constant
update, and will be available at Cole Hall. It contains all the information
presented at the meetings, in addition to other material that might be of
interest regarding solid waste.
Forrest advised that he had spoken again with Bonnie Cook of Northeast Resource
Recovery. She gave him a list of towns in New Hampshire, together with details
regarding how they handle their solid waste. The costs per bag are much lower –
approximately $1.50/bag. They recycle all plastics – numbers 1 – 7. They are in
the process of developing a plant that will make decking from recyclable
plastics.
It was agreed that available host town agreements will be distributed to
committee members as they are obtained. These will be reviewed by members prior
to the next meeting, if possible.
The next meeting will be on June 1, 2004. The Committee will meet at the
Shaftsbury Landfill/Transfer Station at 6:00 p.m. and convene at Cole Hall at
7:00 p.m. All are invited. The site visit and meeting will be warned and posted.
Mike Biddy moved to adjourn at 8:50 p.m., Forrest seconded the motion and all
were in favor.