Bow Town board approves three-year solid‑waste contract with Casella

The Bow Town board authorized a three-year contract with Casella Waste Management of Massachusetts Inc. for municipal solid‑waste and commingled recycling collection and authorized the town manager to sign the agreement.

The town manager told the board the contract terms are near final and asked the board to approve the award pending the town attorney’s final review. "We are doing the terms, but if the board could award, and it's very small, but could award the 3 year contract pending final review, to Casella Waste Management of Massachusetts Inc.," the town manager said during the June 23 meeting.

The manager described first‑year pricing in the proposal as an increase from the current budgeted amount; the figures cited in the meeting were not read as a consolidated single line item. The manager said there is an annual adjustment that will be the greater of 5% or an index tied to collection costs. "So there's a built in 5% increase per year," the manager said.

Board members asked about customer impact, cart replacement, and whether residents would need to swap carts after the provider change. The town manager responded that individual residents would not be required to change carts and that damaged carts could still be swapped out at the Department of Public Works without an individual fee. "People will not need to change out their carts and for this change in provider? No. ... If they're damaged, they can still continue to go down to DPW and swap them out," the town manager said.

A board member asked whether subscription services for extra totes would remain at current prices; the manager said the town will confirm whether Casella will honor current subscription pricing and will notify residents. The manager also said the town received two proposals and that Casella had purchased the long‑time local hauler Pinard Waste.

Board member David moved to approve the contract and to authorize the town manager to sign; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor.

The vote approved the three‑year contract pending final legal review. No further conditions were placed on the authorization at the time of the vote.

The manager and several board members noted market consolidation and limited competitive options in the region. One board member said, "they have a hold on the market, and this is the only option," while others asked the solid‑waste committee to explore alternative collection models, including noncommingled recycling or centralized drop‑off options, during the contract term.

The board did not adopt any other changes to service levels at the meeting and directed staff to notify residents about subscription and cart procedures if pricing or terms change.