Sanitation staff warn disposal fees rising; grant will buy two trucks but fee choices loom

Sanitation staff told the council they expect disposal fees to rise sharply this year and budgeted $245,000 for disposal costs after last year’s $180,000 estimate. Staff cited capacity constraints at some disposal sites and increased volumes from housing growth as drivers of the jump.

The sanitation department is operating with nine employees this year after last year’s budget assumed eight; staff flagged that increased housing and heavier loads require vigilance on routes and potential additional trucks and employees in coming years. A staff presentation indicated the town currently charges $8 per household per month for curbside service and is heavily subsidizing the program compared with county contract rates (discussed at roughly $22–$24 per month in the meeting).

Council members were told a recently awarded grant — described in the meeting as roughly $400,000–$500,000 — will buy two sanitation trucks, replace many lost recycling containers and provide a secure site and fencing for equipment storage. Staff plan to use grant funds for truck replacement and container replacements and said those investments should help operations for several years.

Council and staff discussed options to control long‑term costs, including modest fee increases (staff estimated a $5 monthly fee increase would generate about $250,000) or charging for bulk/brush pickups above a set limit. Staff cautioned that charging could lead some residents to dump illegally; members asked for draft policy options and a fee comparison with neighboring jurisdictions for the next meeting.

No action was taken today; staff will return with fee scenarios, enforcement options for illegal dumping, and a more detailed accounting of disposal‑site contracts and grant restrictions.