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Selectmen allow a small, pilot compost operation at the transfer station
Summary
The board approved a small-space composting pilot by Chickadee Compost, authorizing a designated area and requiring lids on totes and described curing timelines; the approval included an expectation the operator will follow state licensing guidance.
Kate Tompkins and Mark Carter presented a pilot composting plan to the Selectmen proposing a small lease area at the transfer station for totes and a low-cost mix-and-cure approach with solar fans to aid decomposition.
Tompkins said the operation would process a limited volume (15 cubic yards) with 10 cubic yards of leaf and yard waste and 5 cubic yards of food waste in a confined area. The Selectmen asked operational questions about sourcing carbon material and controlling odors and gull attraction; Tompkins said she has sourcing plans for shavings and sawdust and would use lids on totes to limit bird access. The board approved the pilot site with conditions on totes and operational controls, and asked staff to monitor progress.
The motion to permit the pilot operation passed with reservations from one member who raised concerns about potential competition with local businesses. The Selectmen indicated the approval was conditional and pilot-based, and that they expect the operator to follow any applicable state or DEP composting guidance.
