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Select Board hears transfer station budget, recycling plan and equipment concerns
Summary
Officials reviewed proposed transfer station budget lines tied to new recycling equipment and baling, discussed increased equipment maintenance and supply needs, and noted hauling savings tied to improved recycling practices; staff will seek local vendor input for maintenance estimates.
The Tamworth Select Board on Sept. 30 held an extended review of the transfer station and highway budgets, focusing on recycling upgrades, balers and related equipment maintenance.
Brian, the transfer station presenter, told the board the town had reduced hauling costs substantially while increasing recycling, in part by changing practices such as removing Freon from refrigerators before recycling and disassembling mattresses to avoid water weight. He said those operational changes, combined with lower construction volume this year, drove an estimated hauling cost reduction but that some budget lines were purposely left padded to account for uncertainty in equipment and supply costs.
Board members asked for clearer maintenance estimates. One Select Board member asked Brian to consult TJ and contacts in nearby towns (Ashland and Ossipee were discussed) for realistic annual maintenance costs for vertical balers, skid-steers and wire/baling supplies; Brian agreed to query local operators and report back. Brian noted that initial costs for some baler supplies can be high — “1 55 gallon drum of whatever hydraulic fluid you need for the baler is a thousand bucks” — and suggested the town might shift funds between hauling, equipment maintenance and supplies to reflect the new operating model.
On staffing and operations, board members discussed whether bailing would require additional part‑time labor; staff said the first year will be a learning process and recommended two people when baling on open days. Board members offered to visit nearby facilities named by staff to observe bailing and equipment handling.
Other transfer station items discussed included container repairs and replacement (board members asked staff to re-check a prior authorization for a new container), the possibility of internet service (Infinium/Verizon) at the site and how to code hauling vs. household hazardous waste lines in the budget. Becky asked about attendance figures for the recent household hazardous waste event; staff said final counts would be available after the Lakes Region Planning Commission meets Oct. 8.
No formal votes were taken on the transfer station lines; staff were directed to collect more vendor and peer-town maintenance data and return with refined budget numbers.
Ending: Staff will check with nearby operators for maintenance quotes, adjust budget line allocations as needed and report back to the board before final budget adoption.
