Council agrees to raise green-waste fee to $2 a month; resolution to amend fees planned

Council members discussed higher green-waste disposal costs and a recurring budget shortfall for the town's seasonal green-waste dumpster program before agreeing to increase the fee charged to residents.

Mayor Heydall and staff said the town has seen increased tonnage charges from Logan and that the town's budget was not updated last year to reflect price increases that began in October. The mayor said current year-to-date actuals for green waste are about $67,801 against a budgeted $65,000 and that staff are projecting end-of-year green-waste revenue of about $75,000.

During discussion the mayor said, "I'm gonna recommend that we increase to $3 a month per citizen," noting the town had previously paid $3 when contracted with Logan. Council members debated a phased increase but ultimately agreed to raise the fee to $2 per month for now. The council directed staff to prepare a resolution next month to amend the town's master fee schedule to implement the $2 fee starting with the next billing cycle (the mayor said implementation would begin next month on water or cable bills).

Council members also discussed operational issues: the town's contract with Green Waste currently limits service providers, but council members said they are working with the consortium's executive committee to remove a cemetery dumpster from that contract so the town can pursue a lower-priced option for that location. Council members noted occasional contamination of loads (stumps, dirt) forced loads to landfill disposal and increased costs; Logan charges for those loads by tonnage (council referenced $25 a ton currently) which has contributed to higher average per-load costs.

The increase to $2 per month was characterized as intended to build a reserve so the program can operate through off-season months and absorb future rate increases; council members agreed to revisit the fee if Logan substantially increases tonnage charges again.