As stated in a previous update, the Select Board is working closely with Road Agent Guilmette and HD staff Ed Walsh to help us navigate the roiling waters of the recycling commodities market. We are also using the expertise of the Northeast Resource Recovery Association (NRRA). Here are the latest updates:
- Please SEPARATE GLASS. This is the first recyclable that we are pulling from single-stream. We will be hauling the glass to Wakefield NH ourselves because of the proximity of Wakefield to the home of one of our HD staff.
- The Select Board has approved the rent-to-purchase of a baler from Atlantic Recycling Equipment to consolidate our recyclables.
o Baled recyclables will result in fewer hauls, saving us transportation costs.
o It will take about 6-8 weeks to install the baler. We will be transitioning to component recycling in anticipation of baling the components.
o The Board is renting the baler through March and will be including a warrant article at town meeting to complete the purchase of the baler. Should the town decide not to purchase the baler, it will be returned to Atlantic Recycling. The rental agreement contains no interest costs and the entire rental fees will be deducted from the purchase of the baler.
o The cost of the baler is about $17k; the full project cost, including concrete pad and electrical work is just under $23k.
o We will be able to load the baler with the skid steer.
- The Select Board appointed Ed Walsh as Transfer Station Manager; this is in addition to his duties as an employee of the Highway Department. He and Road Agent Guilmette will juggle schedules as necessary in order to provide Mr. Walsh with additional time to spend on transfer station operations.
- The Board is making these changes because the cost of single-stream recycling will be increasing and the advantages that were in place at the time of our transition to single-stream are no longer relevant. We are continuing to look for opportunities to recover as much revenue as possible from our recyclables.