The board engaged in a complex dialogue about the sustainability of the town’s sanitation enterprise fund, emphasizing the financial pressures from escalating waste disposal costs. The conversation revealed a projected increase of over $20 per ton for waste disposal in the coming year, presenting a financial burden for the town. The challenges are compounded by the volatile nature of recycling markets, particularly following China’s “National Sword” policy, which has driven up processing fees due to increased contamination in recyclables. These changes have left municipalities, including Dighton, with rising costs and reduced financial benefits from recycling efforts, as processing fees now often exceed potential revenue from recyclable materials.

A critical aspect of the discussion was the potential for implementing an enterprise fund to manage these costs more effectively. The board contemplated whether to fund the anticipated sanitation budget deficit through taxation or other means, noting the community’s general opposition to increased tax bills. The dialogue underscored the importance of identifying diverse revenue sources to ensure a stable financial model while maintaining essential services. The potential for introducing a debt exclusion to address these challenges was also discussed.

In addition to waste management, the meeting highlighted progress on the town’s new library on Main Street. The board discussed the timeline for its opening, contingent on the completion of light fixture installations and shelving approvals. A grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony was tentatively planned for mid-September, with a series of events to celebrate the new facility. Financially, the library project was reported to be on track, with no additional staffing needs anticipated.

The board also addressed the appointment of election workers, reviewing the transparency and corrections in the terms presented. The resignation of Cheryl Wick from the Board of Registrars prompted discussions on filling the vacancy, with plans to seek candidates from the local Democratic party, given the need for party balance.

A representative from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection provided an update on the town’s trash and recycling program. The proposal for an enterprise fund to support the program included the introduction of fees for trash bags, reflecting broader trends in waste management across the state. The representative emphasized the unpredictability of waste management costs, citing issues such as fires caused by rechargeable batteries in waste streams and the diminishing number of available landfills.

The board also deliberated on the implications of shifting from larger to smaller trash bags, projecting potential revenue losses and the impact on the fund’s stability. The conversation explored the effectiveness of the “pay-as-you-throw” system, which has successfully reduced trash tonnage but may inadvertently increase costs if recycling efforts lead to higher processing fees.