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Dalton committee urges paid attendant, volunteers to revive state-funded swap shop
Summary
Green Dalton Committee members told the select board the town’s new state-provided swap shop at the transfer station sits mostly unused because it lacks staffing; the board discussed funding options, prioritizing security upgrades, and volunteer recruitment ahead of Dalton Day.
The Green Dalton Committee told the Dalton Select Board on June 22 that a state-built swap shop at the transfer station has not launched successfully because there is no consistent attendant to open, monitor and explain what materials are acceptable.
Lori Martinelli, a Green Dalton member, said the red building donated by the state is “pretty much closed” without staff and asked the board to consider a paid $15-an-hour position for six to eight hours a week or aggressive volunteer recruitment to keep the site open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. "If someone were there, people would come in and look around," she said, describing how an attendant can spark activity.
Town officials said the swap shop helps the town’s recycling metrics and brings state reimbursement, but budgeted funds earmarked for transfer-station security upgrades and repairs to the attendant shack could absorb the modest personnel cost. Eric (town staff) said available RDP funds are currently assigned to (1) a camera/security system for the transfer station and (2) repairs or replacement of the attendance shack, and cautioned those investments would likely consume the available monies.
Board members discussed interim options including the senior work-off program, volunteer flyers and outreach at Dalton Day to recruit help. Several members urged promotion of the swap shop through the town website and event tabling on Dalton Day to attract volunteers. “We don’t want to tell the state it’s open if it’s not,” one board member said, citing state reimbursement conditions.
Board members also suggested short-term funding within the existing budget to start coverage while the town seeks sustainable staffing. The board did not adopt a final funding plan at the meeting but signaled willingness to explore using available recycling-related funds, prioritize the transfer-station camera project, and run a summer volunteer drive.
The committee emphasized the program’s goal: reduce waste and encourage reuse through a staffed swap shop and improved public engagement; next steps include outreach for volunteers at Dalton Day and a follow-up discussion with the finance officer about short-term funding.
