11/3/2020
October 15th Annual Membership Meeting Held via Zoom
Included 6 Minute Tribute to Ned Beecher

NEBRA’s annual membership meeting was held virtually on October 15th. The 1 hour and 15 minute long meeting on Zoom included all the usual agenda items for discussion at annual all-member meetings, including the annual financial report. However, before starting his numbers presentation where it would become apparent that NEBRA’s original executive director Ned Beecher was no longer a salaried NEBRA employee, outgoing Treasurer and Board Member Andrew Carpenter gave an extended tribute to Ned and his impacts on biosolids recycling, regionally as well as nationally. The thanks were conspicuous all throughout the slideshow, including quotes from people who got to know Ned through biosolids as well as old photos of Ned and his accomplices throughout the years. Both the slides and the video clip from this portion of the membership meeting can be found on NEBRA’s website.

As part of the membership meeting, Executive Director Janine Burke-Wells reviewed accomplishments over the last year which included a continued focus on PFAS. She reported that NEBRA had responded to members pleas in early 2020 for PFAS communication/outreach materials and a report about cost impacts. She was pleased to report that NEBRA had delivered on both items in collaboration with the New England Water Environment Association, the Water Environment Federation, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and other like-minded associations. Burke-Wells mentioned the increased focus on NEBRA committees with new and energized committee leaders. President Tom Schwartz talked about initiatives for next year including a review of the organizations strategic plan in order “to ensure a relevant and sustainable NEBRA” into the future.

The annual Board elections took place with current Board members Cheri Cousens, Lise Leblanc, and Mark Young willing to continue with another three year term. With Andrew Carpenter’s shoes to fill, Nominating Committee Chair Mark Young was pleased to submit the nomination for Eryka Reid of Resource Management, Inc., who he had worked with on Lowell’s Youth and the Environment Program. All four were elected to three-year terms. Tom Schwartz of Woodard & Curran and Deb Mahoney of Brown & Caldwell were re-elected President and Vice-President of the Board, respectively. Isaiah Lary of the Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority was re-elected Secretary. No one raised their hand to be the new Treasurer so the Board plans to have further discussions about filling that position as soon as possible.

For those of you interested in the budget report, you can find it on the members-only page under the Finance Committee towards the bottom of the page.