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Selectmen direct treasurer to deposit NIP litter-prevention funds into CART fund as subaccount
Summary
The Board of Selectmen voted 5'0''to deposit the small-state reimbursement known as NIP money into the town's CART (redemption) fund as a segregated subaccount to support a litter cleanup program; staff will return with implementation details.
The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously on July 14 to place the state's NIP (alcohol-bottle deposit reimbursement) funds into the town's existing CART (redemption) fund as a subaccount to be used for litter cleanup activities. The vote gives the treasurer authorization to receive the roughly $3,000 annual reimbursement and hold it in the CART fund while staff designs a spending program.
Why it matters: The money, sent by the state to municipalities to offset roadside litter associated with beverage containers, can be used locally for direct cleanup or given to community groups to carry out removal work. The board's decision preserves the funds in a discrete account and directs staff to return with an operational plan.
Board direction and discussion: Town Administrator Eric noted the state sends about $3,000 yearly and asked for the board's guidance on priorities. Selectmen discussed ideas raised by residents and members of CART (a local group that already receives redemption funds): hiring students or temporary workers, engaging the Parks program, awarding small grants to volunteer groups like scouts, and liability protections for roadside work. Selectman Jeff Maguire moved to authorize the treasurer to place the NIP funds into the CART fund as a subaccount for a litter cleanup program; Selectman Anne Creme seconded. The motion passed 5'0''.
Implementation questions: The board asked staff to return with an implementation plan that addresses liability, supervision, and whether funds should be distributed to volunteer groups or used to pay temporary workers. Eric suggested using safety vests and restricting work away from high-speed state roads. CART members on the call said their existing process splits redemption money among four volunteer groups twice annually; they asked that the NIP funds be tracked separately to avoid commingling.
Next steps: Staff will draft a program proposal, including liability mitigations and options for how communities or nonprofits would receive or use the funds, and return it to the board for approval. The treasurer has been authorized to deposit the NIP money into the CART fund pending a formal spending plan.
