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Fair Haven board approves rules to open transfer-station 'swap shop' and limits items accepted
Summary
Select board members approved detailed rules for a transfer-station “swap shop” to divert reusable household items from the landfill, excluding clothing, mattresses, hazardous materials and appliances requiring special disposal; staff say the facility will open once rules are finalized and an existing employee is trained to oversee operations.
The Fair Haven select board approved rules this meeting to open a transfer-station "swap shop" where residents can leave usable household items for others to take.
Staff described the swap shop as "a small building down at the transfer station where people can come and leave good products" and said items accepted will include housewares, tools, small appliances, books and working electronics. Agency official (speaker 4) explained the purpose: "so instead of throwing them in the dumpster, we give them to somebody who might want them." The board agreed the swap shop will not accept mattresses or upholstered furniture, paint, tires, weapons or hazardous materials.
Board members and residents raised concerns about clothing piling up at the site. After discussion the group said clothing "could become an issue very quickly" and the board reached consensus to remove clothing from the acceptable-items list. "Let's take clothing out," the Chair said during the exchange.
On operations and staffing, staff said the swap shop will be run by existing employees; one staff member, Shaden, is being trained and "it's actually his baby," staff said. Regional solid-waste contacts recommended having someone on site during drop-off hours to prevent people from leaving excessive or soiled items.
Staff said a clean copy of the rules and signage will be produced for public posting and that the swap shop will open as soon as the rule changes are finalized (staff indicated a target of opening on a Thursday once the rules are signed). The board asked that nuisance and operational issues be reviewed as the program begins.
