Merrimack council raises commercial tipping fees, approves letter opposing House Bill 407 and accepts two sponsorship donations

MERRIMACK, N.H. — The Merrimack Town Council on Jan. 23 voted to raise commercial tipping fees at the town transfer station and approved a separate letter urging opposition to House Bill 407. The council also accepted two $900 donations to sponsor the Parks and Recreation summer concert series.

Councilors approved a plan to increase the commercial trash tipping fee from $133 per ton to $168 per ton and to raise the construction-and-debris rate from $150 per ton to $185 per ton. The council adopted a friendly amendment setting the implementation date to April 1. The measures were presented by the town manager’s office and transfer-station staff as necessary to cover the town’s actual per-ton costs.

The fee change follows a staff review of recent tonnage and cost figures: the transfer station received about 11,486 total tons of material in calendar year 2024, staff said, and a three‑year average the town is using to budget is roughly 10,005–10,500 tons. Town officials said the combined cost to the town of receiving and hauling one ton of household trash is roughly $165 and about $177 per ton for construction debris; the proposed fee increases were intended to bring commercial rates closer to those costs and to generate an estimated $89,250 in additional annual solid-waste revenue.

"That is an increase of $35," the town manager said while explaining the proposed schedule. "That's what it takes to cover our cost." Chris, the transfer-station supervisor, told the council the facility’s convenience and the shorter travel time for local haulers make the station attractive to commercial haulers even with the higher fee: "That convenience factor is such a strong one," he said.

Councilors asked whether the increase would push haulers to go elsewhere or would attract out-of-town loads. Staff said they spot-check loads and have procedures to verify that commercial haulers are bringing material generated in Merrimack; if nonresident loads are identified, the town issues warnings and can refuse further use of the facility.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve letter urging opposition to House Bill 407 (authored by Chairman Finley Rothaus). Motion by Nancy Harrington; second by Nancy Murphy. Outcome: approved (7-0). The letter argues HB 407 would require at least 15% of registered voters to vote on certain warrant-article spending items, a threshold the town manager said would have caused several past warrant articles to fail. The council authorized sending the letter and encouraged residents to submit testimony to the New Hampshire General Court.

- Motion: Adjust tipping fees for commercial haulers as presented, with an implementation date amendment. Motion by Andy (Councilor); second by Jennifer (Councilor); friendly amendment by Jennifer to set implementation date to April 1. Outcome: approved (7-0). The new rates are $168/ton for trash and $185/ton for construction debris; staff estimate increased annual revenue of about $89,250.

- Motion: Accept donations of $900 from Franklin Savings Bank and $900 from Mosquito Joe of Manchester Souhegan Valley for the Parks and Recreation summer concert series pursuant to RSA 31:95‑b and Charter Art. 8 §15. Motion by (Councilor); second by Nancy Murphy. Outcome: approved (7-0).

Why it matters

Town staff said the transfer station is carrying a heavier tonnage load than budgeted in recent years, raising the town’s removal, fuel and equipment-repair costs. Councilors said the increase is intended to better align commercial user fees with the town’s real per-ton cost for handling and shipping material and to protect the town’s solid-waste fund from subsidy by general revenues.

Councilors and staff also moved to send a formal letter to the Legislature opposing House Bill 407, which the town manager and council leaders said would create practical and logistical challenges by imposing a 15% turnout threshold for some warrant-article spending approvals.

What the council decided next

The tipping-fee increase will be implemented April 1 as amended. The town manager will send the signed letter opposing HB 407 to the legislative committee hearing the bill and will copy council members. Donations to the concert series were accepted under RSA 31:95‑b and will be used to sponsor summer events at Abbey/Griffin Park.

Town officials said they will continue to monitor incoming haulers and tonnage, and the transfer-station supervisor will report further spot-check and enforcement outcomes to the council if out‑of‑town dumping is detected.