Hebron board declines Mid‑Maine Waste price increase, refers road‑damage case to town attorney

At the April 13 Town of Hebron Selectmen’s meeting the board declined to sign a proposed Mid‑Maine Waste contract amendment proposing a 5% rate increase and directed Town Administrator Alicia Bryant to send a letter asserting a breach of contract. The minutes state the contract signed in September locks the first year’s price and sets a subsequent 2% minimum with a 4% cap; the proposed 5% increase arrived about two months before the end of the first year.

Town Administrator Alicia Bryant told the board she had left multiple messages seeking clarification from Mid‑Maine Waste. The selectmen did not accept the amendment at the meeting and instructed staff to send written notice asserting the contract breach and to revisit the matter after the vendor responds.

The board also addressed damage reported on Patten Hill Road. A participant identified as Brian said roughly a half‑day of work is required to compensate for snow‑removal activity by a citizen that damaged a culvert, ditch and roadway. Chairman Butch Asselin moved to forward the matter to the Town Attorney for further legal action; Selectman Elizabeth Olsen seconded and the motion passed 3‑0. The minutes do not name the involved citizen or specify whether the town will pursue reimbursement, insurance claims, or civil remedies beyond the attorney referral.

Town Administrator Alicia Bryant provided additional operational updates: she recommended delaying the planned fuel bid because of current fuel prices and the ongoing war; she announced hazardous waste disposal days that residents can use (the minutes include a fee statement that is unclear and will be posted by the town); she reminded residents of district budget hearing and vote dates (district vote May 20 at 6:00 p.m. at the High School Forum; towns vote June 9); and she said salt bids for 2026/27 have been submitted. Highway Department maintenance work was described as ongoing, and staff discussed transfer station protocol after an equipment‑movement incident.

What happens next: the town will send a written letter to Mid‑Maine Waste alleging breach and will revisit the contract issue after the vendor responds; the Patten Hill Road matter will move to the Town Attorney for legal follow‑up. Several operational items (hazardous waste fees, fuel bid timing) are pending further staff action and public posting.

Note on unclear minute wording: the minutes record the hazardous waste disposal fee as "$20 a pound or for 4 gallons," which the board will clarify publicly; the transcript does not resolve this inconsistency.