Plymouth approves $35,000 contract to remove remaining glass pile at recycling center; DES compliance cited

The Plymouth Select Board voted to waive the town's competitive-bid requirement and approve a $35,000 purchase order to New Hampshire Recycles to remove the remainder of the glass and associated metal at the town recycling center.

Town staff told the board that New Hampshire Recycles (formerly Northeast Resource Recovery Association) removed most of the material in an earlier phase and provided the only responsive quote this year. Staff said the vendor agreed to hold last yearpricing for this second phase, and that the work is intended to bring the recycling center into compliance with New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services guidance.

Officials said the project is estimated to take seven days and to start July 14. Town staff estimated about 300 tons of material remain; removal and transport options are limited by contamination and market constraints. The board noted $25,000 of the $35,000 was included in the capital-improvement plan (CIP) for FY2025–26 and that the encumbrance process provided another $10,000 to cover the remainder.

A select board member moved to authorize the expenditure and waive the competitive-bid requirement because only one quote was received; the board seconded and approved the motion by voice vote.

Board discussion included questions about tipping fees and where glass will be transported; staff said the material must go to a facility in Sanford, Maine, and listed the town's $55-per-ton municipal solid-waste tipping rate for comparison.

Town staff said the state had signaled potential penalties if the town did not remedy the pile.