Richmond council authorizes public hearing on transfer‑station fee increases and reduced public hours

The Richmond Town Council voted to authorize a public hearing on proposed changes to the town’s transfer‑station ordinance, including a recommendation to raise construction demolition fees and to reduce public hours to three days per week.

Town staff told the council the transfer station has been operating in the red and that fee and schedule changes are intended to improve safety and reduce overtime. “So we're recommending that be adjusted, to a 165 per ton versus a 150,” said Erin, the town staff member presenting the proposal. Staff also said air‑conditioner disposal would move from free to a $20 charge and that the town would clarify tire categories to better reflect disposal costs.

Staff explained the proposed weekly schedule would shift from Tuesday/Thursday plus weekend coverage toward Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday public hours, supported by the station’s hauler on Mondays. “So we're only losing 1 day now,” Erin told councilors, arguing the change preserves a weekend day while reducing weekday staffing burden.

Councilors discussed public notice and outreach before a hearing and asked staff to post notices at the transfer station and online so residents can weigh in. Councilor feedback focused on whether the change would deliver measurable savings and the timing of any adjustment; staff said more detailed fiscal estimates would follow the public‑hearing process and budget cycle.

The council's vote authorizes the town clerk to advertise a public hearing on amendments to the transfer‑station ordinance (8.18.0.03). If approved after the public process, staff recommended making any schedule change effective after Jan. 1 to allow for signage and notice to affected residents and Hopkinton, a neighboring participant in station operations.

Next steps: a public hearing will be advertised and held; staff will return with updated fiscal numbers and formal ordinance language for council consideration.