Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Waste Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lyman’s food-waste diversion pilot stalled as DEP review lags
Summary
Lyman bought equipment for a transfer-station food-waste diversion pilot but cannot start the program until the state DEP completes a transfer-station license amendment review; staff say the application has been pending since August 2024 and equipment sits in storage at risk of damage.
Lyman officials told the Select Board workshop on June 15 that a grant-funded food-waste diversion pilot at the town transfer station remains on hold because the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has not yet approved a required amendment to the transfer-station license.
"We did spend the funding to buy all the equipment," Lindsay Garnier, town staff, said, noting the town completed the pre-application and submitted the license amendment process in August 2024. "We put in almost a year ago now, and we're still waiting for DEP approval." She said DEP initially quoted a roughly 120‑day review timeline but staffing shortages have delayed the process.
Board members suggested asking the town’s legislative delegation to inquire with DEP. A select board member (S6) said that, from experience, "a couple of inquiries from members can expedite things." Garnier agreed the board could consider contacting legislators but cautioned such inquiries sometimes have mixed results.
Garnier described an operational problem if approval continues to be delayed: the town bought plastic collection containers and other equipment with grant money that are currently in storage and could be damaged if exposed to sun and weather. She said the town has limited space at the transfer station and has sandblasted a front loader being stored there, but until DEP issues the license amendment the program cannot be installed and staffed.
The Select Board did not take a formal vote at the workshop. Garnier said staff will continue checking with DEP and will bring the item back to an upcoming meeting if board members want to pursue legislative inquiries or other advocacy steps.
