Select board approves bid requests for Tamworth transfer-station recycling building equipment; USDA grant could offset costs

The select board on Sept. 23 authorized requests for bids for equipment tied to a proposed recycling building at the Tamworth transfer station and received an update on the building design and project timeline.

Richard, the meeting presenter, showed an early site plan and building sketches for a roughly 60-by-24-foot structure to replace the current brush pile area and to house recycling bays and balers. The design was revised from three very large garage doors to two large doors plus a smaller bay to increase structural stability; interior bays were sized to match the volume required for baling, with number-2 plastics needing the most floor space.

Richard described how the public would use the building—drive up, deposit sorted materials into tilt carts or bays, and staff would perform initial sorting—and then staff would use a loader to feed balers when sufficient volume was reached. He said the town has discussed bay sizing and baler types with New Hampshire Recycles (formerly NRRA) and that the plan includes two vertical balers and space for staging bales for storage in shipping containers.

On equipment, the board approved issuing three separate bid requests: two vertical balers, one skid steer or mini loader (with specifications to ensure the machine fits inside an 8-foot shipping container if chosen), and four storage containers. The presenter said he had identified specific models for bidders to consider but expected bidders to propose alternate models that met the functional specs.

Select board members asked about operator visibility, container height (standard vs. high-cube), and whether the loader could be used for other town functions such as snow removal. Richard said the town would invite the transfer-station supervisor, Brian, to evaluate or demo candidate machines during the bidding period so operating suitability could be verified before a purchase decision.

Richard told the board the town has an eligible USDA reimbursement program that could cover about 35% of equipment costs for the project; he said the USDA program cap on the combined construction/equipment award was roughly $493,000 and that equipment purchases are generally simpler to document and reimburse under that program than construction costs. Richard said he would continue coordinating with USDA staff to ensure purchases qualify for the reimbursement.

Richard outlined a schedule: final design from the architect by October, bids solicited and returned by Thanksgiving, a decision before December and construction/equipment procurement to follow if bids are favorable. The board moved, seconded and approved issuing the requests for bids; the clerk called a roll and recorded members voting in favor.

The select board also reviewed a three-year summary of transfer-station appropriations and grants that have funded prior phases of the project (bathroom and septic work, a secondary compactor) and the current recycling phase; the packet showed prior donations, ARPA commitments and USDA grant eligibility the town is pursuing.

Next steps the presenter listed were to finalize bid specifications, schedule vendor demos for the transfer-station supervisor, and continue USDA coordination to capture the 35% reimbursement on eligible equipment.