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Weare moves to update transfer‑station sticker program and approves sole‑source purchase of pressure washer
Summary
Director Jason Fiske told the Select Board a DES inspection showed sticker‑program verification problems; the board approved a sole‑source waiver and authorized buying a $10,169 industrial pressure washer (funded mainly from capital reserve) for the highway/transfer-station operation.
Director Jason Fiske told the Weare Select Board on March 2 that a recent DES inspection revealed the town’s two-office sticker system for the transfer station cannot reliably match stickers to vehicles, preventing staff from verifying whether trash was produced in Weare. Fiske said the town will roll out new, no-cost stickers, require proof of residency (registration, driver’s license, tax bill or utility bill), and use different colors to distinguish permanent residents, seasonal users and commercial haulers. “There’s a 60 day grace period,” Fiske said, adding that staff and DPW will assist with distribution on Saturdays and spot checks.
Board members discussed commercial haulers and the history of enforcement. Some selectmen said commercial haulers reduce transaction volume at the station and can ease staffing demand when they are properly compliant; others warned about past efforts to eliminate such haulers. Fiske said the town will perform spot checks to ensure commercial haulers bring town-generated trash and that dedicated commercial stickers will help with enforcement.
The discussion then turned to a separate highway-equipment need: a 13‑year‑old steam cleaner used to wash trucks and shop floors. Fiske presented repair and replacement estimates: a limited repair (~$3,500), a fuller repair (~$7,500) and a replacement/upgraded model (~$10,169 as quoted). He said the upgraded model offers automatic pressure relief and additional attachments that could reduce maintenance and increase versatility.
Because the vendor who sells and services the units locally is effectively the only nearby source with timely service, the board voted to waive Section 9(b) of the town purchasing policy (the three-quote requirement) on sole-source grounds and then approved the purchase of an industrial pressure washer from Power Eagle USA (Sandown, N.H.) for $10,169. Funding was approved as $9,000 from the highway truck and equipment capital reserve fund and $1,169 from the department’s operating/tool line. The motions passed unanimously.
Fiske said the old unit has a modest trade-in or private-sale value and the sale proceeds would return to the general fund.
