Board approves smart program annual fee hike to $140 and raises trash bag prices

Dartmouth's Board of Public Works voted July 22 to raise the annual smart program fee from $110 to $140 and to increase bag package prices (a $1 increase for a small bag package and a $2 increase for a large bag package). The motion — moved by Mister Gagne and seconded by the Chair — passed with both members recorded as voting yes.

Superintendent Tim explained the decision with reference to the smart fund's recent capital use: he said the fund had roughly $1.3 million in approved capital expenses in the past year and had transferred about $947,500 from reserves. He noted rising costs for recycling and municipal solid waste handling, plans to modernize and possibly electrify the vehicle fleet (which staff said could raise replacement costs), and that without the fee increase the program could run a deficit by fiscal year 2029.

Board members criticized the accuracy of consultant projections used in earlier work and urged in‑house verification. Mister Gagne noted he believed the consultants had understated operating expenses and urged the finance team, the town administrator and superintendent to either revise forecasts internally or find a more experienced consultant.

Tim said the town has begun doing more of the projection work in house and introduced the new business manager, Brandy, as leading those efforts. Staff told the board they would provide updated projections and that the mix of an increased annual fee and bag price adjustments was intended to capture both fixed costs and variable user costs.

The board also discussed keeping some bag rates steady into FY28 while adjusting tipping or scale prices where appropriate; staff said they will return with refined projections.