To save money in the long haul, Jaffrey’s Recycling Committee has recommended that the town spend money now.
The committee met with the Select Board Monday to outline short and long term recommendations for a more efficient, cost-effective transfer station. Among the recommendations were hiring a transfer station manager, redesigning the transfer station, and purchasing at least one more bailer.
“At some point, the town has to make a stand and start putting money into the transfer station for upgrades,” said committee member Tom Rothermel. “We spend a lot of money on cemeteries and the Meetinghouse, but no one wants to put money into trash, which could save the town money in the future.”
The committee was created by the Select Board to study ways to improve efficiencies at the transfer station.
On Monday, the board requested that the committee begin to price out costs associated with recommendations, as well as potential revenue streams.
While many of the options proposed will cost the town money up front, the committee agreed that changes to the transfer station could save the town money in the future.
For example, a bailer may cost $10,000, but it has a three to four year payoff.
Having another bailer at the station would allow for one bailer to be dedicated to cardboard, which would remove much of the clutter at the station.
“I think we would be in a much better place if we had a self funding plan,” said board chair Don MacIsaac, referencing the potential costs associated with some of the changes. Other options that were recommended included more education to the public about the benefits of recycling, moving the swap shop off site, switching to a pay as you throw system, and implementing a fee structure for bulky waste.