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Select Board asks staff to return with transfer-station fee proposal; plaque idea to be refined
Summary
DPW reported neighboring towns charge fees for mattresses, electronics and white goods; the board asked staff to draft a Boxborough fee schedule and an implementation plan (online prepayment/QR code preferred) and to return with redlines on a proposed plaque policy for transfer-station recognition.
DPW presented a summary of fees charged by neighboring towns and said the town should consider charging for large items such as mattresses, electronics, propane tanks and large appliances to offset disposal costs. DPW noted the operational challenge of collecting fees at the transfer station and suggested online prepayment, sticker systems or QR-code verification to avoid cash handling by attendants.
Board members recommended a focused approach that starts with large, high-cost items. One board member suggested a starter fee of about $25 per mattress, and others urged staff to design a system that minimizes on-site administration. Staff agreed to return in a few weeks with a proposed Boxborough fee schedule, a recommended payment/verification workflow, and an estimate of any additional staffing or IT needs.
Separately, the board discussed a resident proposal for a recognition plaque at the transfer station as a more flexible alternative to naming the facility after an individual. Members debated eligibility criteria (long-serving employees vs. volunteers) and agreed criteria should be drafted and brought back for board review so the program is consistent across town buildings.
