Westborough approves waste‑contract amendment and transfer‑station plan; program shows reduced trash tonnage
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Summary
After staff reported reduced municipal trash tonnage and increased recycling under pay‑as‑you‑throw, the Select Board approved a one‑year extension and contract amendment with Harvey's/Waste Connections, added a substitute waste‑management coordinator classification, and agreed to participate in multi‑town contract negotiations.
Town staff told the Select Board that Westborough’s pay‑as‑you‑throw program has reduced municipal waste tonnage while recycling tonnage has risen. Finance director John Steinberg reported that net program costs are largely unchanged compared with 2024 once increased recycling processing costs are included, and that about $190,000 in bag sales has been recorded to date.
Operational change and safety: Public Health Director Jen Sullivan reported that Harvey's/Waste Connections has proposed relocating the transfer station entrance and operational layout to reduce traffic conflicts and safety risks. Under the new plan vehicles will drive a widened two‑way entrance to recessed containers and a loading dock area; staff said the plan avoids the need for users to lift trash into compactors and improves traffic flow.
Contract amendment and staffing: Because a conveyor‑belt compactor requirement in the current contract has not been installed, staff negotiated an extension and an amendment removing that specific equipment requirement. The board authorized the town manager to finalize a one‑year contract extension with Harvey's/Waste Connections (7/1/2025–6/30/2026) and approved amending the contract to reflect the revised transfer‑station layout. The board also approved adding a substitute waste‑management program coordinator classification to provide coverage during absences.
Multi‑town disposal negotiations: The town agreed to participate in a multi‑community negotiation group to develop a successor waste‑disposal agreement for the regional disposal contract and to contribute to associated legal fees.
Why it matters: The transfer‑station configuration and contract terms determine safety, throughput and the town’s ability to monitor illegal or prohibited disposals. Sullivan said she opposed compactors that would obscure visibility; the board approved the amendment with visibility and monitoring in mind.
Numbers and next steps: Staff will provide additional operational detail and permitting steps for the relocation; new transfer‑station stickers will be available June 1 for use beginning July 1. The board requested greater detail on vehicle throughput and monitoring plans for the new layout.
Provenance: Waste‑management program update and contract/transfer‑station discussion (transcript: start SEG 3899; contract extension motion SEG 4550–SEG 4564).
