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Ossipee selectmen raise temporary transfer-station permit to $20 for seven days
Summary
After a public hearing, the Ossipee Selectmen voted to replace the $2, 14‑day temporary transfer‑station pass with a $20, seven‑day permit to curb nonresident and campground-related use and better cover operating costs.
The Ossipee Town Selectmen voted during their meeting to replace the $2 temporary transfer‑station pass (valid for 14 days) with a $20, seven‑day permit after a public hearing on transfer‑station fees.
The move responds to what transfer‑station staff described as a rising number of short‑term campground and short‑term‑rental users who buy the $2 permit repeatedly, shifting disposal costs onto year‑round taxpayers. “With being $2, that doesn't even really cover the cost,” said TJ, a transfer‑station staff member, during the hearing. He said some temporary permits have been used repeatedly and that staff has recorded temporary‑pass charges ranging from about $20 up to $150 in extreme instances.
The change was proposed after staff noted that two of the town’s largest campgrounds had eliminated on‑site dumpster access for guests, a decision the transfer station expects will increase demand for temporary permits. Staff recommended tightening the temporary permit structure to reduce abuse and better align user fees with service costs.
Selectmen discussed alternate structures, including a two‑week option at a higher price, a $25 one‑time rate suggested by one board member, and comparison figures from neighboring towns. A member of the public who identified herself as Kate told the board she had surveyed nearby communities and found a regional median around $20 for short permits; some towns charge per day and others charge $20 for seven days.
Selectmen also directed staff to track temporary‑permit sales separately to measure revenue impact. “We don't have a tracking mechanism to record the revenue from these separate from other dump stickers, so we really don't know how many we sell,” a selectman said; staff agreed to create a simple weekly spreadsheet to record temporary permit sales.
After the hearing, a motion to adopt a seven‑day temporary permit priced at $20 passed unanimously. The board emphasized the change is intended to shift more of the cost burden to short‑term visitors and not to raise fees for year‑round residents.
The board closed the hearing and returned to regular business. The town clerk and transfer‑station staff will implement the new temporary permit procedure and tracking.
