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Residents ask Board of Selectmen to clarify landfill and recycling charges; town schedules Waste Management meeting
Summary
Residents pressed the board for clarity on landfill sticker rules and potential fee increases; town staff said sticker price increases are unlikely but charges for bulky items may change and that a Waste Management contract meeting is set to discuss recycling operations and container charges.
Residents at the June 15 Farmington Board of Selectmen meeting sought clarity about transfer-station fees and recycling operations, saying social-media chatter had led to confusion about whether sticker prices would rise.
"We’re not increasing the landfill charges," said Penny Morin, who asked whether any change would require a public hearing under RSA 41:9. Town Administrator Jason Henry and Chair Charlie King told residents staff is reviewing rates and enforcement and that any proposed fee change set by the board would be publicly noticed; King said proposals are more likely to target bulky-item charges (televisions, tires) rather than the annual sticker price.
Henry said staffing remains a constraint on expanding recycling services. He told the board the town has a meeting scheduled with Waste Management on June 17 to confirm contract terms, container-delivery charges and whether dual-stream recycling is feasible under the current contract.
Public-works and transfer-station staff answered specific questions about stickers and container sizes, stressing that rules require one sticker per bag and that barrels with unknown contents should not be accepted. Selectman John Scruton urged enforcement of existing rules and noted the town is trying to recover the true disposal cost for items such as electronics that currently may be underpriced.
The board told residents that if staff brings forward a proposal to change fees the board will place the item on an agenda and, if required by statute, hold a public hearing. King estimated any formal discussion would take at least two weeks to reach the board’s agenda.
The transfer station team also reported progress on improving traffic flow and on longer-term decisions about the scale and check‑in area. The LED display for the scale is awaiting a replacement part; staff is evaluating a permanent post-mounted sign and possible relocation or redesign of the temporary scale-house to create clearer separate lanes for bagged-waste sticker check-in and scale transactions.
The board encouraged residents with concerns to contact Town Hall directly rather than relying on social media and thanked those who attended the meeting.
