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Select Board OKs $255,000 MassDEP grant and related contracts to launch curbside carts and bag program
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Summary
Westford authorized acceptance of a $255,000 MassDEP grant to help fund the town's pay-as-you-throw curbside cart rollout (8,500 carts). The board also approved a $393,126 Rare Pacific cart contract and a WasteZero bag-supply contract; startup costs estimated at about $417,000.
The Westford Select Board unanimously authorized the town manager April 1 to accept and sign an expedited Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) grant agreement worth $255,000 to support the launch of curbside carts as part of a pay-as-you-throw program.
Mike (town staff) told the board the grant funds $30 per cart; the town plans to order 8,500 carts to maintain inventory and to account for accessory dwelling units. "The grant will fund $30 a cart, so $255,000," Mike said. Staff estimated total program startup costs at approximately $417,000, including a previously approved $150,000 supplemental appropriation and anticipated operating-budget coverage for the remainder.
To secure the program's rollout, the board also approved a state-contract purchase with Rare Pacific for $393,126 to cover carts' delivery, assembly, distribution and a one-time town brand plate. Staff said the contract must be executed by the end of the week to lock in pricing and delivery.
Separately, the board approved a contract with WasteZero to supply overflow bags. Under the proposed arrangement the town owns inventory held in a bonded warehouse; staff expects routine purchase orders for 240-case loads ($21,888) with an estimated bag cost of about $0.456 each. Mike explained the vendor will work with retailers to stock bags and will notify town staff when inventory levels suggest the need for a new purchase order.
Board members asked about timing and budget-year impacts; staff said the grant and supplemental appropriation cover the immediate startup costs and the remainder will be funded from the current operating budget. Several members also discussed bag color options and directed staff to circulate sample color proofs to the board for review.
All motions related to the grant acceptance and the two procurement contracts passed on unanimous roll-call votes.
