Hooksett advisory committee votes to seek market-based transfer-station fees after discussion of rising tipping costs and condo reimbursements

Hooksett’s Recycling Transfer Advisory Committee voted to recommend that the town set transfer-station fees at market value following a detailed discussion of rising disposal costs, revenue from recyclable materials and continued reimbursements to condominium associations.

Committee members and staff discussed fiscal and operational figures — including roughly $580,000 to $600,000 in tipping fees paid last year, about 10,000 tons of total material handled, and $44,000 received from scrap metal sales — and agreed to ask town officials to update the fee schedule to avoid ongoing losses.

The issue reached a formal step when a committee member moved that “all of the fees reflect market value,” a motion seconded and approved by voice vote. Committee members said the committee will forward the recommendation to the director of public works and the town council, noting that changes to fees require approval under state law.

Why it matters: The committee’s recommendation aims to align the town’s posted rates with what the town actually pays to process and dispose of materials. Members flagged concrete disposal as a particular concern: the committee reported a quoted ERCO tipping fee of $34.50 per ton while the town currently charges residents $5 for a…