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Townsend health board hears pay-as-you-throw update; program showed roughly $32,000 shortfall
Summary
At a July 13 meeting the Townsend Board of Health heard that the pay-as-you-throw enterprise fund ran an approximately $32,000 operating deficit; staff said sticker prepayments will roll into next fiscal year, and members discussed raising fees or improving participation to avoid drawing on reserves.
The Townsend Board of Health on July 13 reviewed a financial update for the town’s pay-as-you-throw waste program and heard that expenses exceeded revenues by about $32,000 for the fiscal year.
Elizabeth, the town accountant, presented a spreadsheet of revenues and expenses and told the board, “your expenses exceeded your revenue by 32,000 for the year.” She said some June sticker sales were prepayments for the next fiscal year and that, with those receipts, the program’s rolling balance would improve.
Board members discussed options to stabilize the enterprise fund. Vice Chair Charles Paul Serene noted the program has roughly 1,800 sticker signups and said the recent $25 increase in the sticker price will produce additional revenue, but rising bag costs and operating expenses have reduced margins. Elizabeth cautioned that without either greater participation or higher fees, “if you run a deficit ... it’ll eat into the $1.60” (the cash reserve referenced in the report).
The ledger line shown during the meeting listed a cash figure printed as $6,667,154.56; board members asked staff to verify that amount and supply a reconciled year-end report. Members discussed outreach to increase enrollment and possible enforcement or market measures to encourage participation, including outreach to residents with private dumpsters and to local haulers about recycling services.
The board agreed to continue a related year-end budget discussion at its next meeting on July 27 after staff posts the final warrant and completes reconciling entries.
