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Board raises Transfer Station boot reimbursement, green‑waste and recycling pilots advance
Summary
The Select Board increased Transfer Station employee boot reimbursement to $150 (effective Jan. 1, 2026), approved an in‑house Styrofoam collection pilot using a repurposed trailer, and received updates on staffing, composting pilot enrollment, and equipment evaluations.
Transfer Station Supervisor Chuck Cullen briefed the Select Board on several operational changes and pilot programs on April 16. The board voted to increase the annual boot reimbursement for Transfer Station employees from $100 to $150, with the change made effective January 1, 2026 so prior reimbursements could be adjusted.
Cullen said the town will pursue a Styrofoam collection pilot by repurposing an unused covered trailer (repair roof in‑house at an estimated cost under $3,000) and partnering with a regional processor that will exchange large collection bags. The pilot will run about a year to collect data on volume diversion and hauling impacts; that data would inform any future grant application for permanent densifying equipment.
Cullen also described plans to construct a removable barrier to secure can containers, to continue installing public trash cans around town, to consolidate cemetery and tool storage by relocating and repurposing existing sheds, and to level and enclose a Transfer Station porch to expand office space (quotes pending; improvements expected to be funded from the Transfer Station Revolving Fund).
Staffing updates included an ongoing rotation to cover seasonal shortages and a planned hire, Steve Jones, who is scheduled to begin May 1, 2026. Cullen said the Transfer Station will continue to accept all batteries and will separate battery types to reduce fire risk; a new requirement will have staff check metal items for batteries prior to disposal. He said illegal dumping across from the facility has declined since brush piles were removed.
The board also heard a report on a composting pilot with 32 participants and a waiting list; training is scheduled for April 23, 2026. Board members supported collecting metrics (volume diverted, fuel use, labor savings and costs) to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs before investing in large processing equipment (a glass crusher, for example, was judged cost‑prohibitive at ~$42,000).
