MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY
SOLID WASTE COMMITTEE
July 5, 2005, 7:30 p.m., Cole Hall
Present: Chairman Bill Pennebaker, Forrest Snyder, Michael Biddy, Karen Mellinger and Christie Coleman
Bill called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
Minutes: The minutes of May 17, 2005 and June 21, 2005 were discussed. A correction was noted regarding the time the meeting was called to order on June 21st. It should read 7:35 p.m., not 7:05 p.m. The minutes were then approved.
Recycling Study: Forrest Snyder reported that he had received an e-mail from Bonnie Cook at N.E. Resource Recovery detailing what they would pay for plastic picked up at our municipal site. The problem was that it had to be baled and there had to be a minimum of 20 bales. Balers are expensive – there was some discussion of the possibility of sharing one with Pownal if they are transportable. Bill thought the cost of a baler might run approximately $100,000. It was agreed that the committee needs to understand the cost structures of recycling. Forrest will follow-up and find out what the market is for plastics.
Karen M. introduced Christie Coleman, who is interested in joining the committee as part of a community service project requirement of her UVM Bachelor degree program. She is particularly interested in the recycling study. In discussing the idea of a “swap shed”, Christie advised that Sherwin Williams has a program that recycles paint. She suggested she could visit the transfer station and perhaps help to develop recommendations for expanded recycling. She will work with Forrest in this area.
Landfill Closure: Bill P. updated the committee on the landfill closure schedule and a communication received from Buzz Surwillo. The Town will have a survey completed and put the closure out to bid a second time.
Bill noted that the Select Board is interested in receiving recommendations from the SWC by October, as this period begins the budget process. Any recommendation that will have an impact on the budget will need to be considered.
Bill commented that one consideration would be for a pay as you throw system. In addition, should the TAM private transfer station become a reality, thought might be given to having the townspeople utilize it and close the present municipal facility. Bill noted that these are only some of the options – he was not advocating for them. He suggested the committee should prepare “white papers (position papers), particularly on a pay as you throw system, for the Select Board to consider.
Bill discussed the idea of a revenue anticipation note. Should any future landfill closure bids come in as high as the first bid, the Town would have a difficult time funding it. The sole bid came in approximately $100,000 higher than the approximately $325,000 total amount set aside by the Town for landfill closure (an amount which was recommended by both the State and KAS engineers as adequate to cover both closure and continued yearly monitoring as required). Perhaps a pay as you throw revenue stream could be used as the source to justify a revenue anticipation note. It is possible the Town might be in the position of having to borrow the money to complete the closure.
It was agreed that future discussions will take place on where Shaftsbury should be going re: future solid waste management.
Bill briefly commented on the various HTA related meetings being held – all committee members have been involved in these meetings
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Mellinger