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Town restricts transfer station to residential trash only amid staffing shortages; rates may rise
Summary
Health department staff said the transfer station closed for a few days because the supervisor is on extended leave; staff are covering duties, the board will enforce a residential-only policy and direct commercial customers to E.L. Harvey in Fitchburg. Officials said rates may rise to cover costs.
The Board of Health on July 21 heard an update that the town transfer station has been short‑staffed because the supervisor is on extended leave, prompting a temporary closure and prompting staff to tighten the facility’s acceptance policy.
Michael (health department staff) said the transfer station supervisor is on extended leave and that other health‑department staff, including Eric, have been covering supervisory duties. The station was closed for a couple of days because of the staffing shortage, Michael said, but he does not anticipate additional prolonged closures.
Staff also said the transfer station will accept residential trash only going forward; customers who are commercially generating waste should use E.L. Harvey in Fitchburg. Michael said the department may need to raise rates again to cover costs but that town rates remain lower than many neighboring communities.
Why it matters: Short staffing and changes to accepted waste could affect small contractors and residents who previously used the transfer station for commercial loads. Redirecting commercial waste to a private facility imposes real cost and logistical changes.
Background: The board previously discussed upgrading transfer‑station quarters for staff but staff told the board there is no funding now; raising rates was one option to close the budget gap.
