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Georgetown Solid Waste Committee weighs reducing holiday hours and security upgrades after busy summer at transfer station
Summary
Committee members flagged overflowing compactors and a backlog of metals and returnables, discussed traffic and after-hours trespass risks, reviewed a $8,400 gate estimate and asked staff to track holiday usage before deciding whether to close certain holiday Mondays.
The Georgetown Solid Waste Management Committee on Sept. 11 reviewed a busy summer at the town transfer station and discussed possible changes to holiday hours and measures to address capacity and security concerns.
Committee members learned the transfer station has experienced persistent backlogs of metals and returnable materials, and that the current metals collector, Mike Naylor, told the committee it would be at least two weeks — and realistically about a month — before he could collect the accumulated metals, transfer station manager Jim Coombs reported. Jim Coombs also said the transfer station has approximately 50 flat-screen televisions and monitors stacked in the universal-waste shed ahead of a scheduled NorthCoast pickup on Sept. 22.
The committee discussed operational fixes including securing a permanent backup container for cardboard, increasing the frequency of returnable pickups, and asking Lincoln County Recycling (LCR) to review an anomalous March collection total that LCR reported as unusually high compared with July and August, Alison Freeman said.
Traffic and safety were a central concern. David Polito said a member of the public raised traffic-safety issues at the transfer station; the committee discussed having staff perform active traffic control during busy periods and considered using nearby school or church parking to reduce congestion. Polito said an employee-parking adjustment — having employees park nearer the metals drop-off — could open more spaces for residents during peak times.
After-hours trespass was another focus. Alison Freeman said the committee has observed an increase in people entering the transfer station after hours and that existing cameras do not provide enough clarity to identify trespassers. Freeman and her husband, David Maschino, plan to meet with Dave Polito to explore adding fencing near the gate. Polito reported a contractor estimate for a light-duty electronic gate at about $8,400 for the gate itself plus $3,000–$4,000 to bring electricity to the location; he said he was not inclined to spend that amount without assurance it would prevent trespassing.
Staff safety gear also came up: Alison Freeman said at least one staff member complained about the style of safety vests. Vests are required, she said, and Jim Coombs was asked to survey staff about preferred styles; the committee noted there are sufficient funds in the current budget to purchase alternative vests if needed.
The committee did not make a final determination on holiday hours during the meeting. Members discussed whether to stop opening on select holiday Mondays and agreed that, if the committee moves forward with closing certain holidays, a public hearing would likely be appropriate. Freeman asked Coombs to track entries on Indigenous People’s Day this year to inform any decision.
The committee acknowledged new signage installed by member Kate Toner and thanked her for arranging the signs. The meeting concluded with routine scheduling and adjournment.
Votes at the Sept. 11 meeting were procedural: the committee unanimously approved the Aug. 14, 2025 minutes and later unanimously approved a motion to adjourn.
The committee’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
