North East Biosolids & Residuals Association (NEBRA) alumni joined current NEBRA members on November 1st to look back on 25 years of improving biosolids utilization in the Northeast U.S. and Atlantic Canada.  The anniversary fete began with a recorded welcome from NEBRA President Deb Mahoney, reflecting on her experience with NEBRA, some of the people she met through NEBRA, and the need for NEBRA more than ever.   During the luncheon, Shelagh Connolly described the circumstances back in 1997 that gave rise to the formation of NEBRA.  Although she claimed no credit, it was obvious to all in the room that Shelagh was driver that got NEBRA started.  Speaking with Shelagh, NEBRA’s first Interim Board President — Ann Bosiak Randall -- spoke of how she came to be involved with NEBRA after growing up on a dairy farm in New Hampshire, one that used biosolids to make the family plot prosper.  Ann helped get NEBRA going following a trip with Shelagh Connelly to a conference sponsored by the North West Biosolids Association out in the Seattle area in June of 1997, which served as the inspiration for the formation of NEBRA.

John Donovan, a long-time active NEBRA Board member now retired from CDM Smith, joined the festivities, even winning a bucket of Class A pellets from Bellows Falls, Vermont, in the raffle!  Chip Chesley (City of Concord, NH), James Myers (retired, Synagro), Serge Loubier (Englobe), and Manuel Irujo (NEFCO) also shared memories of accomplishments and biosolids battles over the past 25 years.  All the speakers talked about the need for NEBRA back in 1997 and the continued need for NEBRA in 2022. 

During the reception, there was a NEBRA trivia contest hosted by former Executive Director Ned Beecher.  There was also a raffle with lots of great prizes – the most prized of which were the buckets of biosolids products brought in from around the region including pellets and composts from Dover, Merrimack, and Resource Management, Inc. in New Hampshire; Greater Lawrence Sanitary District, Agresource (Ipswich) and NEFCO (Quincy) in Massachusetts, Casella (Hawk Ridge) and Sanford in Maine; and Bellows Falls, Bennington, and Springfield in Vermont. 

To end the day, we were treated to a surprise performance by the Band - Biosolids Bill and the Nedettes.  The Neddetts sang a tribute called The Ballad of NEBRA Ned, to Ned Beecher’s surprise and embarrassment.  The original tune, a collaborative effort led by former NEBRA President Andrew Carpenter, was pretty catchy complete with cowbell percussion!  Andrew was accompanied by fellow Nedettes, Anthony Druin (NH DES), Steve Nurme (RMI), Bill Max (RMI) and Bill Toffey who made the trip up from Philadelphia to round out the band and honor his long time colleague in Biosolids – Ned Beecher.

NEBRA is very grateful to the sponsors of that very special anniversary celebration:

SILVER ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS:
Casella Organics
Englobe
Resource Management, Inc.

ADDITIONAL SPONSORS:
PW Tech
Synagro
Woodard & Curran