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Transfer Station Committee
Bethlehem, NH
Minutes of the Meeting
November 2, 2017
Committee members attending: Barry Zitser, Chris McGrath, Dann, Jeanne Robillard,
Andrea Bryant, Leslie Drier, Julie Seely, Katherine Darges
Absent: Mike Culver, Jerry Blanchard, Jim Martin, Mary Moritz
Brian Patnoe, manager of Littleton Transfer Station, spoke to the Committee about the operation in Littleton, and how, per capita, it is one of the least expensive transfer stations to operate in the state. He pointed out that no transfer station makes money.
Factors that particularly help to keep costs down:
- Because of the number of large businesses in Littleton, the station gets a lot of cardboard that it can recycle.
- Littleton provides recycling services for other towns in the area. Currently, towns pay nothing to take their recycling to Littleton, and Littleton keeps the proceeds received. Dalton and Haverhill take advantage of this.
- “Pay as You Throw”, encourages people to recycle as much as they can for free, rather than having to bags for things that aren’t really trash. Currently, bags cost $3 for a large bag, $2 for a small bag. Some residents of Bath, Franconia, Dalton, Bethlehem buy bags and take their trash to Littleton.
- They charge $32 per cubic yard for construction and demolition waste, and have a price list for accepting other things like appliances, electronics, tires, etc.
Currently, Littleton processes approximately 1000 tons of recycling, 600 tons of mixed solid waste, and 350 tons of construction and demolition waste per year. They are capable of handling Bethlehem’s trash and recycling. Brian says to do so probably would necessitate hiring two part-time workers at $24 per hour for 20 hours each per week to handle the greater volume. Bethlehem would have to pick up this cost. Also, he feels that the Littleton Board of Selectmen should approve of accepting the greater load that this would put on their transfer station.
Littleton has equipment for dealing with their waste and recyclables, such as two bailers, one horizontal and one vertical; a “Bobcat”; a loader; and a compactor; among other things.
The transfer station’s busiest day is Saturday, with approximately 800 vehicles.
Brian said that the current cost of transferring waste is $142 per truckload to haul it and $63 per ton for tipping, making the total cost approximately $80 per ton.
China has been buying cardboard and paper recyclables from the US, but has started to curtail its purchases and may stop completely. Brian thinks that China will realize that it needs these materials because they use them in their own industries.
Mt.Carberry Landfill is run by a non-profit, but there is a question about whether they will raise their rates when NCES closes. A town has to be member of Androscoggin Valley Regional Refuse Disposal District in order to dump at their transfer station.
Littleton has a population of approximately 6000 vs Bethlehem’s 2600. It costs them approximately $350,000 to run the transfer station, including administrative and worker salaries, equipment, transportation and tipping, plus miscellaneous items. They take in approximately $140,000 in pay-as-you-throw, $108,000 town budgeting (less this year), and other revenues. They pay for major equipment purchases out of an enterprise fund rather than a capital reserve fund.
Littleton is in a permitting process with the State Department of Environmental Services, and have requested to take more waste so they could take from more other towns. If DES doesn’t approve, then they won’t be able to be an alternative for Bethlehem.
Brian said that there is talk that Casella wants to buy the Littleton transfer station to run it.
The Littleton recycling rate is approximately 60%, and, if you consider the diversion rate (brush, wooden pallets, etc.) may be 70%.
Brian pointed out that there is a liability aspect to having a swap shop. If someone takes home something that it burns down the house or could cause sickness because it is moldy people could sue.
The Committee thanked Brian for all of his information and insight and he left the meeting.
The Committee discussed its presentation to Bethlehem Select Board on November 13, 2017. Jeanne Robillard will prepare a package that includes:
- the meeting minutes,
- the work plan,
- a brief on the options explored so far,
- visits from speakers, and
- the possibility of sending a survey to residents of the town to get their opinions on options,
- a warrant article for a capital reserve fund.
- The visit to the Rte 116 transfer station site to assess its condition and determine what would need to be done to reopen it.
- E estimates of costs.
- Is driveway permit still good?
- Is transfer station permit still good?
- Is the lead cleanup of shells an issue?
- Possible USDA loans
- Posible grants for equipment?
The Committee discussed how often it needs to meet, perhaps once a month, but no decision was made.
Minutes from the October 5 meeting were reviewed. Chris McGrath moved to accept them and Barry Zitser seconded the motion. The minutes were approved by unanimous vote.
Minutes of the October 19 meeting were reviewed. Jim Martin said the minutes should read that the Rte 116 location is out of the way, not the Trudeau site. Dann suggests that the third paragraph of the last page should read: “Dann said that Brian of Littleton would be asked to come to our meeting.”
Motion to approve the minutes as amended was made by Chris McGrath and seconded Dann. The minutes were approved by unanimous vote.
The next meeting will be held on November 16.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Julie Seely and seconded by Barry Zitser. The motion was carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 pm.
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