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Select Board accepts first reading of revised solid-waste ordinance; fees to follow at second reading
Summary
Jody Welton presented a line‑by‑line update to chapter 101 to remove outdated language and shift fee-setting to the board; the board accepted the first reading and the committee will return with a fee structure, especially for C&D debris.
Jody Welton, chair of the Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling Committee, presented the committee's first reading of a revised chapter 101 ordinance. She said the committee reestablished in October 2022 and has been meeting to modernize the ordinance by removing outdated language and moving detailed fee schedules out of the ordinance so fees can be updated by the board or posted on the town website.
Welton said the biggest outstanding item is how to structure charges for construction and demolition (C&D) debris, which varies widely by load and may require scales or a different charging approach. "We're trying to come up with a more structured way to charge our residents and say... if it's a truck, the pickup truck bed, come up with what the yardage is," she said.
Board members praised the committee's work and moved to accept the ordinance for first reading; a second reading with specific fee proposals will be scheduled and include a public hearing. The board voted unanimously to accept the first reading.
Why it matters: Updating an ordinance last revised roughly 20 years ago responds to changing disposal markets and provides a governance pathway to set fees in a way that can better reflect market costs. The approach also separates policy language (ordinance) from operational fees the board can adjust.
Next steps: Committee will work on a fee structure for C&D and other materials and return for a second reading with public comment.
