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Public Works warns of rising SCARA tipping fees; proposes facilities manager funded in part by reassigning maintainer slot
Summary
Public Works Director Gary told the board regional solid-waste tipping fees may climb to $125/ton by 2030 and recommended keeping a maintainer position authorized but shifting funds to partially fund a facilities manager in Building Maintenance.
Gary, presenting the Public Works FY27 request, said the department faces a rising waste-disposal market that will pressure municipal budgets: "the tipping fee projected in 2030 will be over $125 a ton," he said, compared with SCARA's current proposed rate of about $83/ton. He warned that regional capacity constraints and market demand for landfill space are driving increases that could materially raise future town expenses.
To create management capacity for building maintenance and capital projects, Gary proposed funding a facilities manager at 75% in building maintenance and keeping a maintainer two position authorized but unfunded in public works for FY27 (the idea: reallocate funding to the new facilities post when it starts partway through the fiscal year). The board also discussed overtime and a currently $45,000 shortfall in the snow overtime account; Gary said weekend snowfall timing has driven costs and the department is trying to manage within existing lines.
