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Buckfield committee approves MOU to pursue $175,000 CRP grant for swap‑shop and transfer‑station upgrades
Summary
The Town of Buckfield Solid Waste Committee approved a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to pursue a combined-community CRP grant toward a year‑round swap shop and transfer‑station improvements. The project quote for a 28x20 workshop was ~$26,200, with total project estimates up to $45,000–$50,000; the CRP application deadline is June 5.
The Town of Buckfield Solid Waste Committee voted May 5 to sign a nonbinding memorandum of understanding to pursue a regional Community Resilience Program (CRP) grant toward a year‑round swap‑shop/workshop and transfer‑station capacity improvements.
A committee presenter said the ad hoc swap‑shop committee identified a 28x20 building model from Hillview Mini Barns, quoted at $26,200 for the structure and delivery. After factoring foundation, electrical rerouting and other site work the presenter estimated a maximum project cost of about $45,000 and said members were rounding the figure to $50,000 for contingency. “If you round it up to 50, that’s still only 28% of the grant money because this CRP grant is $175,000,” the presenter said during the discussion.
The MOU described in the meeting is nonbinding and is intended to notify ABCOG that the towns agree to collaborate on the joint CRP application. Committee members said applying together increases the award available to the partnership; in discussion the group contrasted an individual award figure versus the combined award of $175,000, and the presenter confirmed the June 5 application deadline.
Committee members said the grant would primarily be used to fund the new structure and to bolster staffing capacity at the transfer station, including hiring a part‑time supervisor shared between Buckfield and Sumar (Buckfield’s share was discussed as roughly 35% of that position’s hours). The presenter said public works would handle ground work and ditching to limit contractor costs and that potential discounts could be pursued through local suppliers.
The committee approved the motion to sign the MOU and began signing the document during the meeting. Members asked staff to follow up with more detailed cost quotes and to report back on the grant process timeline.
What’s next: staff will refine cost estimates, finalize the MOU language requested by the committee, and continue conversations with ABCOG about the joint application. The committee set a follow‑up process to report progress before the application deadline.
