Residents propose volunteer sustainability committee and compost drop-off; board says funding must wait for budget process

Local residents seeking to form an ad-hoc volunteer sustainability committee presented six goals to the Carrabassett Valley Select Board on Sept. 9, including a cost-saving townwide composting program, school sustainability education and sustainable-business outreach.

Heddi Siebel, who introduced the group, said the committee could help write grants and develop programs; Siebel estimated a composting program could save the community as much as 30% of its total waste disposal costs. Heidi Wueste, identified as Boyne/Sugarloaf’s sustainability coordinator, referenced the recently enacted State Extended Producer Responsibility law as a factor changing recycling economics.

Siebel asked whether the town could help fund a $4,000–$5,000 compost drop-off station currently being built by Sugarloaf. Chair Bob Luce replied, "No," saying the town’s reserve funds had been expended on a town truck and that any request for direct municipal funding would need to go to the budget committee in January for possible inclusion on the March Town Meeting agenda. Corbin added that limited ARPA funds remained but might be needed for other uses and must be spent by Dec. 31.

The board asked the group to return with details on committee size, membership and specific goals; the group discussed possible subcommittees on transportation, education and recycling markets.

Next steps: the group will prepare a proposal with membership and scope for the Select Board or Town Meeting to consider during the winter budget cycle.