Selectmen press Waste Management on contract terms after transfer station service and safety concerns

At the May 4 meeting Town Administrator Jason Henry told the board he had been speaking with Waste Management about inconsistent pickup outcomes and possible contract charges the town is incurring.

Henry said the town is on automatic pickup and that ad‑hoc call‑ins can be delayed; he reported Waste Management is charging a cancellation fee for fewer than six cans and that the company is pulling tonnage reports for the town to review. Selectmen directed Henry to follow up with Waste Management and to schedule a meeting that town representatives and, if the board desires, selectmen can attend.

The board also discussed Transfer Station operations and safety after staff reviewed camera footage of an incident in which a person was locked inside the facility after hours. Henry said the person "scooted in" before staff closed the gate; board members asked staff to review and formalize lockup procedures, improve signage and gating, and determine whether the incident is reportable to the Department of Environmental Services. Mr. Staples suggested attendants perform a final loop of the facility before departure; Mrs. Titus emphasized staff safety in any revised procedure.

Separately, Henry presented quotes totaling $5,100 to replace two gates at the Transfer Station (front gate and gate across the brush pile). The board gave consensus to proceed with repairs or replacement and asked staff to investigate whether an existing gate can be reused to reduce cost. The board recorded these items for follow up with staff and the Trustees where necessary.