Annual Report

The Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District is responsible for providing a long-term solution for the disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated by its ten member municipalities. This responsibility requires the district to implement a twenty-year plan to manage that portion of MSW that is not beneficially reused or recycled.

The district determined in 1992 that the best long-term and most cost-effective disposal alternative is to site and develop a long-term regional landfill within the district. The landfill siting process identified a site in North Hartland that was acquired from neighboring Twin State and Gravel Company in 1994. Subsequent land acquisitions have created a 175 acre parcel with 40 acres dedicated to landfill footprint. Additionally, a deer yard reserve is located proximate to the site.

A Landfill Certification Permit was issued by Vermont's Department of Environmental Conservation in 1996 and renewed for an additional five years in 2002.

The Act 250 permits issued in July, 2004. These land use permits allow for the development of an bridge across I-91 and the first 10 acre landfill cell. Act 250 conditioned the permits to require "substantial progress toward completion" of the approved infrastructure by midyear 2007. Therefore, the District asked voters and the voter approved a $1.5 million bond at the November 7, 2006 general election for final design and construction services.

A second bond vote for the actual construction of the landfill is anticipated within a few years.

The landfill is permitted to accept 50,000 tons per year (tpy) of municipal solid waste and construction debris. The Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District's ten towns collectively generate about 13,000 tpy, so we must arrange for additional tonnage if the landfill is to be operated successfully. Staff is continuing to discuss future landfilling needs of the region with Lebanon City officials and other area municipalities.

This endeavor is a major public works project and will require combined participation of municipalities with private sector generators and haulers to be successful.

       The Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste Management District (GUV) was created in 1990 for the express purpose of managing waste generated within its ten member municipalities. The District provided direct service to all charter members in 2006 through special collection events, education and long term waste disposal programs.
       Lebanon City Landfill opened a new cell, Phase IIC, several years ago that is expected to supply disposal capacity for District towns for the balance of the decade.
       In addition to the long-term disposal capacity programs, GUV continues to offer local waste management and recycling programs to serve the residents and businesses in the region.
       Highlights of Waste Reduction Activities:

• Hazardous Waste Collections - 3,631 gallons & 575 participants,
• Electronics Recycling (computers, televisions, office equipment) - 23.3 tons,
• Home Show booth with the Upper Valley Household Hazardous Waste Committee - 100's of visitors,
• Mercury thermometer exchange - 47 households,
• Fluorescent Light Bulb recycling - 21,895 linear feet,
• Distributed discount home composting bins to area households,
• Technical assistance to all 10 district towns, with considerable staff time devoted to those towns with drop-off facilities (Norwich, Strafford, Thetford, Vershire and West Fairlee),
• Maintained Website - www.guvswd.org,
• Education - teacher training on waste-related curriculum in partnership with Association of Vermont Recyclers' (AVR),
• Green Up Day - arranged disposal of roadside trash and tires at no cost to residents or towns,
• Illegal Burning Prevention - outreach to violators,
• Northeast Resource Recovery Association - provided access to cooperative recycling services,
• State and Federal Grants - $127,000 grant revenues,
• Special collections for:
  • Tires - 45.4 tons,
  • Scrap Metal - 63.3 tons,
  • Bulky Wastes - 14.7 tons,
  • Used Motor Oil - 285 gallons,
  • Clothing - 1.9 tons,
  • Books - 5.7 tons.
         GUV's collections of recyclables, hard to manage wastes, and hazardous wastes are popular events with over 1,600 residents participating this year. Special Saturday collections are generally offered in the spring and fall seasons, a schedule for each calendar year is available at our website (www.guvswd.org) and as a handout at Town Meeting Day in each member town. Year-round collections are offered at the district offices in North Hartland for:
  • computers and other electronics - fee,
  • fluorescent light bulbs - no charge, and
  • packing peanuts - no charge.
  • Recycling and compost bins are available for sale at the district office as well.
         And as always, Hartford transfer station permits and coupons are available to any district resident at your town clerk's office or at the district office. The Hartford transfer station drop-off center provides comprehensive waste management services for trash, recyclables, construction debris, reusables, and some hazardous wastes (used oil, antifreeze, and car batteries).
         Finally, GUV's Board of Supervisors contributions of time and expertise to the region's public solid waste needs is greatly appreciated.

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  Fiscal Year 2006 Annual Audit

  The annual audit for FY06 was conducted by the independent auditors Fothergill Segale & Valley CPAs. It is available at the Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste District offices by calling 802-296-3688.

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  GUVSWD District Information

  Board of Supervisors

  Bridgewater, Nelson Lee, Jr., alternate Stephen Tarleton, Sr.
  Hartland, Robert Stacey, alternate Frank Hastings
  Norwich, Stephen J. Soares, alternate Nancy Kramer
  Pomfret, Vern Clifford, alternate Steve Johnson
  Sharon, Garfield Barnes, alternate Theodore Jeremenko
  Strafford, Stephen Willbanks, Chair, alternate Judy Bowden
  Thetford, Ben Bradley, alternate James Masland
  Vershire, Tom Griffith, alternate vacant
  West Fairlee, Russell Bragg, alternate Gloria Mann
  Woodstock, Philip Swanson, alternate David Murison

  Treasurer: C. Rhona Dallison
  Clerk: Mary Lou Willing

  Office Information
  Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste Management District
  96 Mill Street
  P.O. Box 58
  North Hartland, VT 05052-0058

  Ph: 802-296-3688
  Fax: 802-281-7088
  E-mail: guvswd@valley.net

  Office Hours: 9:00 - 4:00, Monday - Friday

  GUVSWD Staff
  Fred Moody, Executive Director
  Mary Lou Willing, Office Manager
  John Hurd, Program Director
  Carl Mitchell, VSWDMA Compliance Officer

Greater Upper Valley Solid Waste Management District
96 Mill Street, PO Box 58, No. Hartland, VT 05052-0058
Phone (802)296-3688  |  Fax 281-7088  |  E-mail GUVSWD@valley.net