Select Board orders bids to clear brush pile and offers transfer-station job to preferred applicant

The Town of Acton Select Board asked staff July 24 to solicit bids to remove a brush pile at the Transfer Station and to advertise chipping and equipment (skid steer) replacement options, and it voted to offer Applicant A a part-time Transfer Station position.

Transfer Station representative Robin Ham told the board he had been approached by residents saying an Acton resident was hauling brush from outside Acton to the Transfer Station. The board said hearsay was insufficient and asked that any complaints be followed with written documentation; it recommended stronger signage to make the Transfer Station’s Acton-only rules clearer. The Town Administrator will gather further information and follow up.

Mr. Ham also said the brush pile has grown to the point that it encroaches on the sand shed and that the town will advertise bids for brush removal and chipping. He provided specifications for a replacement skid steer and asked that bid requests include lease, used, and warranty options; the Town Administrator said staff will investigate municipal surplus-asset listing sites for disposing of the old skid steer.

Walsh recapped that he and Mr. Ham favored Applicant A for a part-time Transfer Station post; Ed Walsh moved to offer Applicant A the position, seconded by Daniel Norwood, and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Ham reported recent recycling revenue of $1,052 from electric motors and $420 from crushed/can food loads taken to Berwick; he said the next load will be two trailer loads of aluminum.