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Sheffield warns transfer station will end year in deficit as recycling costs climb
Summary
Town staff told the Select Board the transfer station will finish the year with a deficit balance driven by rising recycling costs and falling revenue from bottle/can collection; staff will present options once final bills are in.
Town staff informed the Select Board on July 1 that the Sheffield transfer station is projected to end fiscal 2024 with a deficit balance and that the town cannot use reserve fund transfers to cover the shortfall.
Rhonda told the board, "the transfer station will end this year in a deficit balance." She attributed the shortfall mainly to rising recycling costs and the loss of revenue the town previously received from bottle and can collection. Officials said the town used some of its transfer station enterprise fund toward the budget this year to reduce the sticker increase, but costs rose faster than expected.
Board members and a commenter discussed household impacts of sticker price changes. One resident said using the transfer station saved them about $700 a year compared with private trash pickup, arguing the sticker remains a relative bargain despite recent increases.
Town staff said they will calculate final totals once all bills arrive and will bring options for the board to consider rather than using reserve fund transfers.
Next steps: staff to present options and specific figures once year‑end bills are available.
