The most discussion centered around the financial challenges posed by the transfer station’s budget shortfall. The solid waste budget for FY 25 was set at $569,676, supported by various revenue streams, including $180,000 authorized by town meeting, $36,990 in retained earnings, and $30,239 from solar lease revenues and recycling committee funds. Despite these sources, a revenue gap of $322,450 remained, needing to be filled by sticker permits and trash bag sales. Current projections showed sticker rates generating about $309,000, leaving a shortfall of approximately $13,000.

To bridge this gap, the committee considered raising permit fees. One proposal included increasing all permit fees by $5, which could potentially reduce the shortfall to around $3,000 when accounting for $10,000 in bulk tag revenue. Members expressed mixed feelings about the need to raise rates, with one stating, “It would be great if we didn’t have to raise them, but I’m also sensitive to the fact that it doesn’t do any good if we don’t raise them and then we have to make a shortfall.”

The discussion also highlighted the committee’s need to balance financial sustainability with community impact. Some members were concerned about the potential impact of rate increases on users, particularly seniors. The possibility of using retained earnings more strategically was debated, as the current reserve balance was below the recommended threshold. One member suggested using a small portion of retained earnings to avoid rate hikes, especially considering the financial constraints of the water and sewer funds.

In addressing the operational aspects of the transfer station, the committee explored adjusting operational hours to save on overtime costs. The idea of reducing Wednesday hours from 7 AM to 7 PM to 11 AM to 7 PM was introduced, though it would require contractual negotiations. This change was aimed at reducing current salary expenses, contributing to the overall financial strategy.

Other revenue-generating ideas included potential fees for electronic disposal and a review of the pricing structure for bag disposal, which currently costs $25 for five large bags. The quality of the bags was criticized, with members noting they had become thinner and more difficult to manage.

The committee also discussed adjusting the fee for second permits, which had not increased since 2019. Although only 129 second permits were issued, there were concerns that a fee increase might discourage residents from purchasing them, though it was noted that the need for second permits often arose from specific life circumstances.

Looking ahead, the committee scheduled a public hearing for November 15th to further discuss these issues and gather community input. The committee also recognized the need to fill a vacancy for a resident representative and sought to involve significant water and sewer users in future meetings.