TOWN OF STODDARD, NH
SELECTMEN’S INFORMATION MEETING
AUGUST 26, 2009
6:30 PM @ TOWN HALL
ATTENDANCE: John D. Halter, Chairman
Sandra L. Holland
Arnold R. Stymest
Administrative Assistant: Evelyn Nadeau
Recycling Presentation By: Patrick Corcoran (Corcoran Environmental Services, Inc.)
Mr. Corcoran provided a Powerpoint handout to those in attendance, introducing himself and briefly detailing the recycling options his company could provide to Stoddard. At present he owns no trucks and hires out all waste hauling. He noted several things, from his observations of the Stoddard Transfer Station, that he suggested be done differently. He thought the attendant should be more available to give direction to the public. Commercial customers (contractors) are now being allowed to dump freely. He suggested charging by the yard or requiring them to separate the debris they bring in. It was questioned how one person can monitor dumping, particularly when the facility is busy. Mr. Corcoran said the attendant has to engage with the public. He spoke about charging a user fee for refrigerators, etc. Selectman Holland and Bev Gay both spoke up in favor of offering one free pass per household for one refrigerator, one stove, one washer, one dryer and so forth. Asked how co-mingle things are sorted, Mr. Corcoran said it is done by machinery using an optic eye. He noted our facility doesn’t have enough space or quantity to bale cardboard. Recyclables would go to the plant in Manchester (glass, cans, paper). The monthly costs under the current contract with Waste Management were mentioned as being high. Mr. Corcoran said he had no numbers for the town at this time, but would bid when a bid package is sent out. Chairman Halter said the current contract is based on a limited tonnage and he knew of only one time when we went over the contract limit and that was the year of the flood. At that time, Waste Management did not charge us for the overage. Mr. Corcoran asked for the Board’s interpretation of the contract going forward, adding he thinks there is a discrepancy between the contract and the actual charges. The biggest issue is educating the public. It was suggested that bidders be asked to bid with and without disposal fees. Bev Gay talked about instituting a numbered sticker system. Chairman Halter indicated the reason they are not numbered is due to the costs associated with maintaining the records. Bid specs need to be put together. Mr. Corcoran suggested widening the entry and dividing it so there is one obvious way in and one way out. Dumpster diving is a liability and the town would be liable if a “diver” gets hurt, Mr. Corcoran said. A “swap shop” was discussed with Mr. Corcoran indicating he doesn’t particularly like them because people sometimes use them dispose of junk items that really should be put in the metal bin or elsewhere. He noted that we could get a universal waste shed from NH the Beautiful. They also have signs, buildings, and swap shops.
Adjournment: 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Evelyn Nadeau
Administrative Assistant