Residents question trash contract timing and competitive process; board members promise follow-up

Several residents raised procurement concerns after the town signed a new garbage-collection contract; board members said time constraints limited a full public bidding cycle but that staff reviewed comparisons before signing.

Select Board discussion indicated the contract was put in place because the town faced a time-sensitive gap in service; a board member said there was not time to run a full formal bid process. “We did not have time…To go out to bid,” a Select Board member said, describing a constrained timeline. The same participant said staff had performed some comparisons of alternatives before recommending a contract.

The board promised a copy of the contract and to look at options. Letty said, “I am going to get you a copy of that contract today,” and at least one resident, Jim, offered to volunteer to review options and negotiate if the board wanted a citizen participant to pursue alternatives.

Why it matters: residents raised cost and oversight concerns; garbage contracts are recurring operating expenses that affect the town budget and household costs. Officials acknowledged they would have preferred a more robust procurement process but said timing and service continuity influenced the approach this cycle.

Officials said they will continue to look at alternatives and compare longer-term contracting strategies, and one board member proposed naming a volunteer to negotiate or review future arrangements to reduce costs.