Dalton Select Board forms transfer-station committee, names Jessica Williams interim chair

The Dalton Select Board on Monday voted to form a committee to study the town transfer station and recycling options and appointed Jessica Williams as interim chair.

Chair (speaker 1) opened discussion saying the board needed "options" and data before making further changes to transfer-station policy. The chair moved that the board "form a committee to work on transfer station issues and that we tasked Jessica Williams with being the chair of the committee," and the motion passed by voice vote.

Members said the committee should compile a clear cost-benefit analysis covering hauling recycling to Lisbon, the cost of three-phase power and a compactor, potential storage expansion and the resale value of materials. The chair told the board: "If we take our recycling to Lisbon, this is how much it will cost on a yearly basis," and urged that data be gathered before policy changes are implemented.

Several board members and staff said they would recruit volunteers and coordinate with neighboring towns. A Select Board member noted that Bethlehem's recycling committee had reached out and that a follow-up meeting was scheduled at the end of April to share ideas.

Public commenters and board members also raised the recent decision to stop selling town trash bags at the country store and questioned whether residents had been consulted. One resident asked whether the store had been asked to "verify residency before selling the bags." Board and staff replies said the store owner had been asked to verify customers to the extent possible, but members emphasized the committee should review transfer-station use data before proposing changes.

Next steps: the board expects the committee to post public meetings, recruit volunteers via the town website, and present an initial options paper and estimated annual costs for board review.