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Transfer station annual report: metal sales strong, plastics market weak; permit pricing to move to cost-based model
Summary
Recycle and Transfer Advisory Committee reported $64,454 in recycling receipts and discussed new scale software, a new truck and shifting some waste permits to a ‘permit by notification’ cost basis; councilors raised condo reimbursement and safety concerns at the scale.
The Hooksett Recycle and Transfer Advisory Committee presented its annual report to the Town Council on April 23, reporting $64,454.16 in recycling receipts for the fiscal year and recommending operational adjustments including a move to cost-based fees for some waste categories.
Chair Ray Bonnie told the council the town’s recycling revenue for the reported year totaled $64,454.16: metal sales were $46,060, cardboard $16,500 and plastics $1,880. He said plastics prices remain depressed (he reported plastics were roughly $2 a ton) and that the transfer station processed about 33.25 tons of plastics in the year. Bonnie added the transfer station pays for glass, hazardous materials disposal, freon removal, propane tanks, fluorescent bulbs and battery disposal and reported those payouts aggregated to $578,438.37 as presented to the council.
Bonnie highlighted recent operational improvements: new scale software that automates monthly totals, a new trailer and an expected bailer delivery in June, new office signage and weekend hours resumed for the transfer station (Saturdays 8 a.m.–1 p.m. beginning March 22). He also said solar panels for the landfill are in the final planning stage.
The advisory committee discussed a change in how some waste permits are priced. The station manager recommended a “permit by notification” approach so customers pay the station’s current disposal cost for irregular loads (for example, variable cost to dispose of construction debris rather than a flat fee). Bonnie said that power to adjust fees already rests with the public works director under the town’s ordinance and the committee does not want the transfer station to operate at a loss.
Councilors pressed operational and policy issues. Several members praised staff organization and cleanliness at the site. The council and Bonnie discussed safety at the scale: attendants must step out of the scale house to greet drivers, creating a potential hazard; Bonnie said staff are exploring a wireless speaker system and other mitigations. Councilors also discussed the town’s existing practice of reimbursing some condominium associations for trash pickup — the council was told the town currently reimburses about $64,000 annually and that new condominium requests for reimbursement would come before the council for approval rather than be automatic.
No formal council action was taken on the transfer station report; councilors directed staff to continue work on the operational items and report back as details (for example, the bailer delivery and solar-panel lay-down area) are finalized.
