Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hooksett Council schedules March 26 discussion on condo trash pickup and recycling options
Summary
Councilors set a March 26 meeting to hear proponents and staff on condominium trash‑pickup and townwide recycling options, noting potential service, equipment and software costs and the operational challenge of adding curbside condo pickup.
Hooksett Town Councilors agreed on Feb. 26 to hold a follow‑up meeting on March 26 to review condominium trash‑pickup proposals and townwide recycling/trash options, inviting proponents, the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and staff.
The discussion arose during town goals and the Town Administrator’s report. Councilors and staff described several operational and cost issues tied to expanding curbside service: adding condo curbside pickup would likely require additional collection vehicles, drivers and schedules; changing formats on printed tax or billing documents might require vendor or database work; and printing and postage logistics could change if bills expanded to multiple pages.
Tax collector Kim and councilors noted the town already maintains historical tax and rate data on the website and distributes a newsletter with the tax bill; many councilors favored using existing channels rather than adding more content to the bill itself. Councilors asked staff to check whether the town’s current billing/software vendor can accommodate new formats and whether a double‑sided or second page for the tax bill would be an interim option that is cheaper than a software overhaul.
Councilors also discussed recycling strategy. Staff reported that some materials (cardboard, glass, plastics) continue to be collected and that the transfer‑station disposal cost per ton has risen (figures referenced in discussion: current transfer cost cited as about $73 per ton). Councilors explored whether targeted outreach or incentives could increase voluntary recycling drop‑off and reduce transfer costs. One councilor suggested the town could publicize an existing infographic and historical tax/recycling information more prominently during tax season to improve resident understanding.
The March 26 session will be posted and the council asked that Solid Waste Advisory Committee and DPW staff present options, estimated costs (including truck/driver/staffing implications), and the feasibility of software or printing changes. Councilors signaled interest in alternatives to full curbside condo pickup (for example, enhancing centralized drop‑off and outreach) if the labor and capital costs are high.
No binding decision was made on Feb. 26; the March 26 meeting is intended to gather information for any future policy action.
