SWDC Meeting Minutes
SWDC MEETING MINUTES - 06/15/2020
I, Jennifer Holt- Chair of SWDC, am invoking the provisions of RSA 91.A:2 sub 3.b.
In accordance to the guidelines set forth by Sanbornton BOS, Federal, and in compliance of Governor Sununu’s Emergency Order 12 and Executive Order 202004.
As such this meeting will be conducted remotely via teleconference without a quorum of this body physically present in the same location
1)Teleconference Meeting called to order at 5: 34 pm.
2)Attendance- Present ; members- Tara Albert, Jen Holt,
Andy Sanborn, Dave Swanay. Nate Douglass- Transfer Station Department head
Absent- Jeff Burns
3)SWC/BOS updates -Jen reported that;
a)The BOS has set precedent that each committee chair is to determine the mode of their meeting forum and the frequency of holding meetings during our current pandemic crisis. Jen stated she felt it important to meet remotely to ensure everyone's safety while enabling SWDC to continue their work.
Discussion ensued regarding remote meeting options. Not all members have the capability of utilizing zoom. Tara offered her ability to set up a Webex forum for our next meeting. Webex offers a “call-in” option which would allow the meeting to be accessible to all including the public. The committee was unanimous in wanting to try the Webex forum for our July meeting.
b)Jen requested for T.A. Stafford to post SWDC 2 vacant alternate positions on the Town website page that lists Committee volunteer opportunities.
c) The Transfer Station has had a recent resignation. Leaving only 2 employees to run the very busy T.S.
d) Jen requested for Nate to join tonight's meeting to offer the committee a report as to how the COVID pandemic guidelines are affecting the daily operations of the T.S. As well as discuss how SWDC can best support the T.S. during this current crisis.
4) T.S. Updates/SWDC task assistance request-Nate stated that;
a) “since the beginning of the COVID pandemic crisis the Transfer Station has become exponentially busier. MSW volume has increased 3 times. Demo is now open. Safety Restrictions which are well posted at the Transfer Station, have been maintained inclusive of ; clearly marked 12 foot social separation spacing, residents to remain in their vehicles until reaching the designated depository station,wearing masks when exiting vehicles( for occasions of when a 12 foot safety parameter may be breached),residents are not to intrude on T.S personal 12 foot social distance area, currently 2 residents at a time are now permitted to empty their S.S. in an effort to decrease resident wait time in line.
One of the employees has resigned which is making the workload very challenging given the increased demands of operating during a pandemic and the public's reaction to it.”
Jen asked Nate , “ what has been the residents' reaction to the changes and do you or Shauna have any concerns ?”
Nate responded, “ The Transfer Station is very mentally challenging with COVID-19. Saturdays are particularly very difficult. There are residents who refuse to adhere to the safety guidelines and harass the staff. These residents have become impatient,hostile and threatening. We hear complaints that they are tired of the inconvenience, restrictions and wait time at the transfer station. When we try to remind people we are operating during a pandemic and the safety guidelines are there to protect everyone. They become angry and accuse us of being on a power trip. They continue to refuse to follow the protocol and maintain social distancing which endangers employee safety . Residents are also not following procedures for proper trash disposal. Despite the fact that we have detailed signs throughout the Transfer Station. Residents complain there are too many signs. It is impossible for 2 people to monitor the metal pile, single stream, demo, MSW and enforce COVID safety protocol at the same time. It has become a very stressful toxic work environment.”
Tara responded “ Nate is running the Transfer Station according to it’s permit and operating manual. He is also in step with other transfer stations instituting COVID restrictions throughout the state.”
Jen stated “ This is a completely unacceptable,unsafe work environment . No wonder an employee has quit. During a pandemic crisis residents need to rally together to help keep everyone safe. It is frustrating to learn that our residents are mistreating town employees. Clearly Nate needs back up particularly on Saturdays to handle residents who threaten and put our employees at risk. My first thought is to request Sanbornton police be present on Saturdays ,near the T.S. office to assist in keeping the peace and maintain public safety. What ideas does the committee have?”
Tara responded “ I can write an op-ed piece stating resident behavior expectations during the current pandemic and post it on the Town Facebook accounts.” Tara created and read the op-ed piece which met approval from Nate and all members present. Tara posted the op-ed piece during the meeting
Jen will post the op-ed piece on the town's SWDC webpage .
Andy stated “ The board of selectmen should be made aware of the serious situation and any recommendations made by SWDC on behalf of the Transfer Station.”
Jen stated she would “contact Selectman Dick and notify him of the situation along with SWDC final recommendations to help improve the current work environment at the Transfer Station”.
Nate stated that he has a meeting coming up with Selectman Dick.
Dave stated “ The board needs to understand that if either Nate or Shauna quit, the town will be forced to close the Transfer Station. It would be helpful for a member of the board to be present on Saturday’s to witness the situation”.
Tara clarified” that it is a state mandate for municipalities to offer trash removal if the Transfer Station were to close, the town would need to make commercial arrangements.”
Nate stated that Shauna was offered a job at the Gilford Transfer Station for $18/hr but out of concern of leaving Nate alone at the Transfer Station she refused the job. Sanbornton pays Shauna a considerable amount less.
SWDC remarked loyalty like that is a rare quality and to be mistreated on top of that makes the situation even worse. The committee decided that it would once again recommend to the board to raise the hourly rate for Transfer Station attendants.
b) Nate reported that a new contract has been signed between Casella and the town for 3 years without NRRA. The cost of stickers is up 8%. The price of bags will go up as well. The price of demo is increasing to $43/ton. Nate will need the fee scale for demo redone. Jen will contact Jeff to address the C&D fee scale.
Nate requested Dave work with Shauna regarding increased costs of stickers and bags. Dave agreed but requested Nate send him the fiscal data he has on file before Dave meets with Shauna. Dave would like a chance to prepare for the meeting. Nate agreed to send Dave the fiscal data he has. Dave stated he has not received an NRRA report since January. Jen stated she would contact T.A. Stafford again and request the NRRA records be sent to Dave monthly.
Nate stated that once it is safe and the pandemic has passed, he plans on resuming source separating. The plan is to move the Swap shop to its own building located near the metal pile and have it run by volunteers. Nate requested SWDC help organize a volunteer pool of people who are willing to run the swap shop. Once bailing begins, there is not enough staffing to handle the operations of the Transfer Station and the Swap shop. SWDC will address this request at the July meeting.
5)SWDC task assignment; Tara- op-ed piece.
Dave- assist Shauna with fiscal changes.
Andy- assist with creating volunteer pool for the swap shop.
Jeff- rework C&D fee scale.
At this time Andy Sanborn and Nate Douglass needed to leave the teleconference call.
6) Dave reported that the fiscal reports he has received for the transfer station have been lacking consistent data for analysis. For the past 5 months he has not received NRRA reports either.
7) Tara reported that the Solid Waste Market is terrible right now. The cost of glass removal is currently $45/ton. The NRRA is offering 2 free webinars this week on Wednesday and Friday that focus on contracts. Jen will remind Andy and Jeff about the webinar as well as inform Selectman Dick about the webinar.
8)A Motion was made by Jen to accept the SWC Draft Meeting Minutes of o2/17/2020. Second made by Dave.
Discussion- none
Vote: Yes-3, No-0 , Abstain-0.
results-Motion to accept Draft SWC meeting minutes of 02/17/2020 as written passes.
9)Other business- none
11)Public comment- none.
12)Next regular meeting- Remotely- July 20,2020 @5:30 pm via Webex
13)Meeting adjourned at 7:22pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Jen Holt- SWC Chair/Recorder
06/17/2020