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Council: no current plan for a town transfer station; landfill closure depends on USDA funds
Summary
Questions from the litter committee prompted officials to confirm Tiverton’s recycling center is operating under a five‑year lease, that there are no current plans for a municipally run transfer station, and that landfill closure work is contingent on roughly $1.416 million in USDA funding.
Tiverton — During public comment and general business, a representative of the town litter committee asked the council for clarity on the status of a transfer station, landfill closure and the Fogland Beach oversight committee. Town officials provided a multi‑part update.
Recycling center and transfer station: Director Rogers (DPW) said the town’s recycling center on Progress Way is operating three days a week and accepts recyclables, e‑waste and white goods; some items require a fee. He confirmed bulk items such as dry, clean mattresses and drained lawnmowers may be accepted; truly bulk trash items such as soiled sofas remain handled differently. The council and DPW confirmed there are currently no plans to open a municipally operated transfer station that accepts trash; the town previously voted to operate a recycle center only.
Landfill closure and USDA grant: The town administrator said Tiverton applied for a USDA grant and that the town was awarded approximately $1,416,000 toward landfill closure. Because of administrative delays and federal funding holds, the administrator said he would not consider the funds final until the money is in the town’s account, but he expected confirmation within about 30 days. Remaining site work the town described includes fencing, security and long‑term monitoring obligations; some post‑closure monitoring costs were identified as ongoing expenses.
Fogland Beach oversight committee: Councilors said the oversight committee has been dormant and may be reinstated as part of ongoing parking and beach management updates; an agenda notice about advertising related items (N and O) was raised and council procedures on advertising and public hearings were explained.
Why it matters: Recycling services are available locally but the lack of a transfer station means residents continue to rely on facilities outside town for some trash disposal. The landfill closure funding and subsequent monitoring obligations will affect future budgets and site planning for the closed landfill parcel; town officials noted that after closure the parcel could be considered for alternative uses, such as solar, but only after the closure is complete and monitoring obligations are satisfied.
What’s next: The DPW director invited litter‑committee members to meet on site and review accepted items and fees; the administrator said he would update the council within 30 days about USDA grant confirmation and the schedule for final closure tasks.
