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Transfer station RFP sent to 13 vendors as Stoddard debates demo fees and attendant position
Summary
Stoddard issued an RFP for transfer-station services to 13 companies and discussed a seasonal surge in tonnage and whether to charge for demolition waste. A proposed $19,100 attendant position to check stickers and reduce unauthorized demo was left for voter decision.
The Select Board reported that the town’s transfer-station request for proposals was distributed to 13 companies as staff and board members reviewed data showing a substantial seasonal increase in waste tonnage.
Town Administrator Michelle Pong said the town’s waste tonnage nearly doubles between April and May and remains high through September, attributing the change to seasonal residents and spring/summer projects. She also noted a new $3-per-ton state surcharge that contributed to the solid-waste budget increase.
The minutes record prior debate about charging for demolition (C&D) waste: a petition to charge demo fees had been voted down in the past. Board members discussed the trade-offs—neighbors and staff said charging for demo can encourage recycling and offset costs, while some residents worry fees could prompt illegal dumping. The board requested monthly demo data to inform the decision.
The board reviewed a proposed transfer-station attendant position with a $19,100 salary. The attendant role was described as a means to check stickers and reduce unauthorized demo; Waste Management had previously offered a cost incentive if demo could be reduced, but staff reported the savings did not materialize. The Select Board decided to leave the inclusion of the attendant position to voters on the warrant.
Guest Joe Traniello said he would try to find comparative demo data from other towns to help the board assess seasonal volume and policy choices.
The board directed staff to retrieve monthly demo figures and other supporting data ahead of the Town Meeting so voters can consider the attendant article and any fee changes with clearer evidence.
