CSWD authorizes purchase of 38.5-acre Williston parcel as preferred site for new MRF

The Chittenden Solid Waste District board on Feb. 26 authorized its executive director to negotiate and close on the purchase of approximately 38.5 acres in Williston for $3 million to site a proposed modern materials recovery facility (MRF).

The authorization came after a public presentation by CSWD staff laying out site selection, scaling and cost updates for the project. Sarah, the district's executive director, told the board the parcel under negotiation offers more flat buildable acreage, reduced earthwork and improved soils compared with the previously considered site, and provides room for future expansion and operational consolidation.

"If we were to put our initial iteration of the new MRF on the Pinesburg Sand & Gravel property, this is how it would fit," Sarah said during the update, noting the parcel contains roughly 38.5 acres but that construction would disturb fewer than 6 acres for the building and site improvements. She said wetlands delineation work had been completed and the site is well positioned for permitting and an access road.

Staff reviewed updated cost estimates. The earlier 2022 construction estimate of about $27.5 million rose to roughly $31 million after rebids and additional site work; staff said equipment accounts for about 65% of the total equipment-and-construction cost. Sources of funds under consideration include a $22 million bond proposal to voters, roughly $1.75 million in state grants to date, and CSWD capital reserves. Staff reported roughly $11.7 million in undesignated reserves available today and noted that some capital projects previously budgeted may be deferred to free additional funds.

The board moved and seconded a resolution empowering the executive director to enter a purchase-and-sale agreement and to expend funds necessary to close; the motion passed on roll call (unanimous in the recorded roll-call sequence) and the board authorized staff to proceed with closing and next-phase site analyses.

Next steps identified by staff include completing geotechnical and habitat studies, confirming whether archaeological work is required, completing a final redesign for the site (including ADA access and a ring road for emergency access), renegotiating construction estimates and scheduling a target ground-breaking in the mid-fall construction season if the purchase closes in March.

Sarah warned of cost pressures but noted site advantages: sandier soils that reduce earthwork, shorter access road, fewer concrete and asphalt quantities and fewer adjacent residential neighbors, which together could reduce project complexity and operating impacts compared with the previously considered parcel.

Board members asked questions about expansion capacity on the parcel and the timeline for ordinance or permitting steps; staff said full permitting and re-design could be completed in time to target a mid-September ground-breaking if the district secures the site promptly.

Why it matters

Securing a larger, buildable parcel is a prerequisite to constructing a modern MRF that CSWD says would accept up to 75,000 tons per year and replace an aging facility built in 1993. The project was previously presented to voters and requires additional bonding, grant funding and reserve application to proceed.

What's next

If the purchase closes, staff will complete site studies, finalize the design, update cost estimates, and return to the board with a financing plan and schedule.