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Shapleigh board votes to solicit bids for transfer-station pad and electrical work after recycling changes draw complaints
Summary
After residents raised concerns about recent changes to compactor and recycling placement, the Shapleigh town board voted 3-0 to put a concrete pad and electrical work for the transfer station out to bid, with staff to circulate specs next week.
The Shapleigh town board voted unanimously to solicit bids for a concrete pad and electrical work at the transfer station after staff described a temporary plan to use detachable compactors while long-term work proceeds.
Board member (speaker 9) made the motion to seek bids for the pad and electrical work; Committee member (speaker 6) seconded it and Chair (speaker 1) called the vote, which passed 3-0. Staff said bid specifications will be sent to contractors next week.
The decision followed public comment from residents who said moving recycling containers to the upper level made recycling harder for some users. A resident described the removal of a lower-level compactor as a setback for older users and urged clearer public postings about sticker availability and access; board members acknowledged miscommunication on a local Facebook page and said they will post official details on the town website and page.
Town staff explained that the current units are temporary, detachable “silver bullet” compactors provided while permanent infrastructure is planned. Staff said the hauling company supplied design specifications and that the temporary units are meant to be replaced quickly with properly sited compactors on a poured concrete pad with electrical hookups. The board heard that two household compactors plus one recycling unit should meet typical daily needs if residents break down boxes, and that the temporary plan aims to be complete before winter.
Board members and residents also raised operational questions about lane configuration, parking and traffic flow at the transfer station. Staff and public works representatives described plans to reposition the units and agreed to mark traffic lanes (a volunteer spray-paint session was scheduled for the following morning) and inspect placement so that the site operates more smoothly.
The board voted to move the procurement forward and instructed staff to publish the plan and timeline so residents can check sticker and permit information before purchasing fireworks or planning visits to the transfer station.
The motion to solicit bids was announced at the meeting and staff said they will provide bid specifications to the board and post them publicly; the procurement is expected to begin the following week.
