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Pownal committee: rising tipping fees and few municipal bidders push town to explore transfer station
Summary
The Solid Waste and Recycling Committee told Town Meeting that tipping fees and recycling costs have increased and that the town received only one municipal bid for collection; the article funding solid-waste operations was approved while the committee explores alternatives like a transfer station.
At Town Meeting, the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee reported that municipal collection contractors are scarce and that EcoMaine tipping fees and recycling costs have risen materially, increasing the town’s solid‑waste budget. Dan Nelson, chair of the committee, said the town received only one municipal bid for hauling and that many companies prefer commercial contracts; member Michael Pabst said towns are "stuck" with the current market.
Committee members described studying alternatives including a transfer station and continued efforts to solicit bids. Resident Charles Vadakin urged the committee to seek additional competitive bids. The warrant article to raise and appropriate $172,562 for Solid Waste (Article 17) passed; the budget lines shown in the warrant indicate EcoMaine fees and hauling as primary drivers of the increase.
The committee noted that residents could haul waste privately and that the group will pursue procurement options and possible operational changes to limit future increases.
