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Mount Vernon officials, resident raise alarm over transfer‑station volume and staffing
Summary
Residents and board members described overflowing bins, higher Waste Management fees and a volunteer/staff shortage at the town transfer station; a resident survey counted an average of about 5.4 trash bags per vehicle during a recent hour and urged immediate volunteer help while the board seeks attendants and issues resident stickers to control access.
Mount Vernon residents and select board members told the Select Board on Tuesday that the town's transfer station has been unusually busy and understaffed, prompting plans for new resident stickers and a renewed search for attendants.
During public comment, Barbara Scapa of North Road said she spent an hour observing the transfer station and counted an average of “5.4 bags each” per vehicle during that period, and that employees reported ‘‘I've never seen this much trash.’’ Scapa urged the town to recruit volunteers to help staff the site, saying the workload could prompt the current attendant to quit if help isn't available.
Chair (Speaker 2) and other board members said the town has been running the transfer station with two regular attendants and selected board members filling in as a third staffer. The chair described recent weekends when a compacting container and an extra bulky‑waste bin were both filled, increasing staff workload and enforcement needs.
The board announced several steps to address access and enforcement. Chair (Speaker 2) said the town will reintroduce a dashboard sticker or placard for Mount Vernon residents within about two weeks so attendants can limit use to residents. The board discussed options for issuing stickers at the station or through the town office and noted it will publicize what documentation residents must show to obtain a sticker.
Separately, the chair reported Waste Management's annual price changes: the haul charge will move from about $310 per haul to roughly $325.50, and the per‑ton fee will increase from about $88 to approximately $90.30. Board members characterized these as annual increases from the contractor and factored them into budget and service discussions.
Board members said they are actively recruiting transfer‑station attendants and encouraged residents to apply; they also agreed volunteers could help during peak periods. No formal change to transfer‑station hours or contractor arrangements was voted at the meeting.
The board later voted to adopt a Belgrade interlocal agreement that allows Mount Vernon residents to use Belgrade's transfer station (users must purchase official bags), and the board approved that interlocal agreement by voice vote, 4‑0.
