The board’s primary focus was on addressing the challenges posed by the current waste disposal fee structure at the Chatham transfer station. Members considered significant adjustments to the fees for commercial haulers, prompted by several issues, including frequent odor complaints and the influx of waste from surrounding towns. Particularly from Brewster, which does not accept commercial waste at its own transfer station. Chatham’s current fees are substantially lower than those in nearby areas, creating an incentive for haulers to bring waste to Chatham, complicating enforcement of waste origin regulations. The board believes that adjusting fees will help discourage this practice.

A presentation highlighted the proposed changes, noting a discrepancy between current charges and the actual costs incurred by the town. For instance, Chatham charges $90 per ton for commercial disposal, while the actual cost is roughly $107.42 per ton. The board considered raising the fee to $175 per ton, which remains below Orleans’ $240 per ton rate. This adjustment would help cover increasing disposal costs and maintain equipment at the transfer station. Additionally, the board discussed fee increases for specific waste categories, such as upholstered chairs, which could rise from $5 to $15 due to their weight, and demolition debris, which might increase to $225 per ton over the current $190, aligning with Brewster and Orleans.

The board also considered raising mattress and box spring fees from $30 to $50, reflecting rising disposal costs. With over 1,400 mattresses disposed of annually, the board emphasized the need to account for rejected mattresses, costing $90 each to dispose of. Discussions included introducing a new category for crib mattresses at $10, addressing complaints regarding their current pricing. The board reviewed charges for sofas, proposing a flat fee of $30 for all sofas and increasing large truck tire fees from $15 to $20 to match disposal costs. A fire extinguisher fee increase from $2 to $10 was also proposed due to rising disposal costs.

In addition to waste fees, the board explored modifications to the bedroom definition regulations, critical for nitrogen loading and subsurface sewage disposal compliance. The proposed changes aim to clarify which rooms qualify as bedrooms, impacting rental properties and septic systems. The board discussed criteria such as egress windows and their relation to basement grading, emphasizing the need for consistent enforcement of these definitions.

The necessity of hiring a certified building inspector due to a state mandate was another issue. The current housing inspector lacks the required contractor’s license, prompting the town to allocate a position for a new inspector in the budget. This mandate is described as unfunded, and adjustments to the Board of Health’s fee structure will reflect increased costs associated with the new program.

Lastly, the board approved a modified definitive subdivision plan for a property on Forest Beach Road, addressing concerns about stormwater management and septic system placement. The planning board expressed a desire to review the proposed dwelling and site plan, particularly due to flooding issues on Judy’s Lane. The board ensured that future plans would require Judy’s approval before proceeding.