Neighbors press town for faster temporary structure at Transfer Station to cut odors; town cites winter, zoning and budget constraints
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Summary
Chestnut Hill residents asked the Select Board to accelerate a temporary enclosed prefab structure at the Transfer Station to stop wafting odors; town staff said winter conditions, zoning requirements (including temporary-permit restroom requirements) and tight budget limits start dates but pledged to prioritize efforts.
Daryl Donatelli, representing the Chestnut Hill Village Association, told the Select Board the neighborhood strongly supports a temporary prefabricated enclosed structure at the Transfer Station to reduce odors but urged an accelerated construction timeline because the projected eight- to ten‑month schedule would carry through the 2026 summer when smells are at their worst.
"We wholeheartedly support that project…we would like to call to attention the need to find an accelerated timeline associated with this project," Donatelli said, noting a letter from the neighborhood association had been circulated to the board.
Town staff responded that they share neighbors’ concern but face three principal constraints: winter working conditions (site storage of snow and reduced construction ability), zoning/permitting complexities (even temporary structures implicate restroom and variance requirements) and budget limits. Chas, the town administrator, said staff would prioritize the project and pursue zoning or CBA relief where feasible.
"We are doing everything in our power to accelerate this," Chas said, but added practical limits tied to seasonal work and required permitting. Staff committed to meeting with DPW and the neighborhood and to continue pursuing funding and permit steps to shorten the timeline where practicable.
The board asked staff to follow up with DPW and report back on options, near‑term mitigations and any temporary measures that could reduce odors while the structure is pursued.
