After months of research, Jaffrey’s Recycling Committee has set forth five recommendations to make the town’s transfer station a better and more efficient space.
Chief among the recommendations is hiring a certified principal operator to manage the transfer station, which would cost the town an estimated $18,000 to $20,000 per year more than a typical employee. It’s a move the committee said would save the town money in the long run.
“We are trying to reduce the bottom line and bringing in a new person to manage the transfer station will make a huge dent in our deficit,” said committee member Harry Young. “Bringing in a manager has a direct impact on the bottom line.”
While the committee was in support of the hiring, the Select Board was more hesitant to support the recommendation, saying it could be a hard sell to the taxpayers in town.
“There has to be a way to sell it to the voters,” said Select Board chair Don MacIsaac. “Hiring more people doesn’t get it done. If you say that you have a vision for the transfer station then I might be able to chew on it.”
While the board wasn’t in complete support of hiring a new manager for the transfer station, selectmen were in favor of the other four proposals: implementing a fee schedule for bulk waste, procuring two additional balers, installing a surveillance system, and educating the public about the costs/benefits of the transfer station.
Implementing a fee schedule for bulk waste was brought up at Town Meeting last year and ultimately not passed, but the committee said that it felt the warrant article could have passed if the public was better informed about it. Selectmen supported bringing the topic to Town Meeting again, but said there still could be backlash.
“People look at the transfer station as a right,” said Selectman Frank Sterling. “A lot of people think that because they pay their taxes, they should be able to bring their trash to the transfer station.” Additionally two balers are being sought so the transfer station can bale more items at one time, saving space and creating more efficiencies, as the town would not have to wait to have enough of one item to bale it properly. Each baler would cost $10,000, with funds coming from the tire reclamation fund, so if the balers were purchased, there would be no tax impact.
A surveillance system was requested to serve as another set of eyes and to keep people honest to ensure everything is being dumped properly. The committee said funds for the project are currently available in the transfer station’s budget.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com..