Middletown Public Works Commission recommends ending 'Save As You Throw' program and raising sanitation fees

The Middletown Public Works Commission on Sept. 3 voted unanimously to recommend that the Common Council discontinue the city’s Save As You Throw bag program, move recycling to weekly collection and raise sanitation rates to restore the sanitation district’s finances.

The recommendation — summarized as a package for the council and supported by staff analysis — responds to a mounting deficit. “In total, in the last 3 years, the sanitation district has lost nearly $1,000,000,” staff reported, and the district currently owes the general fund about $670,000 for unreimbursed expenses. The commission directed staff to prepare materials for a special October workshop and a vote by the Common Council in November.

Why it matters: Program subsidies and lower resident charges have left the sanitation district unable to cover operating costs, staff said. Lisa, the recycling and sustainability coordinator, told commissioners that annual tip fees (the charge to drop off garbage) are a major cost driver: “For the year, about $700,000 is what we pay in tip fees,” she said, citing roughly 6,000 tons at about $118.75 per ton.

What staff proposed: The packet presented three options — continue the program with substantial general-fund subsidy, make participation optional (recouping roughly 25% of the shortfall in models), or discontinue the bag program and raise rates to align with private hauler pricing. Staff estimated the rate the city needs to be sustainable at roughly $4.50–$4.80 per year for a large cart (the current Save As You Throw rate was reported near $2.80). Returning to a prior rate of about $3.80 was discussed as an intermediate step that would halve the appropriation the city might need immediately while giving time to explore alternatives.

Equity and timing concerns surfaced repeatedly. Commissioners and members of the public warned about holiday timing and the burden on fixed-income residents. Staff recommended staged notification and possible supplemental bills so customers would have advance notice. The commission also discussed reducing subsidy burden by raising commercial rates (staff recommended a 15% increase for commercial customers) and pursuing contract or service-changes for large generators, including schools and certain downtown restaurants.

Operational trade-offs: Staff reviewed disposal options and logistics, noting cheaper disposal sites are closer (Berlin) but may preclude organics collection, while Lisbon is a waste-to-energy option with higher transport costs. They also described short-term pilots such as introducing a 35-gallon cart plus food-scrap collection to preserve organics diversion for households that want it.

Commission action and next steps: After extended discussion, the commission moved to send the recommendation package to the Common Council (motion made, seconded, and adopted unanimously). The commission directed staff to compile a Council packet with detailed data, frequently asked questions, and recommended rates; a special October workshop will allow the Council to review the package ahead of a November vote.

The commission’s recommendation is advisory; final decisions on rate changes, program suspension or termination rest with the Common Council.