CHINA — The town’s transfer station on Alder Park Road may see a permanent schedule change, and a controversial pay-per-bag trash program won’t be considered again until after the November election.

The Board of Selectmen this week discussed closing the station on Wednesdays and opening instead on Tuesdays, said Town Manager Dan L’Heureux. Currently, the China Transfer Station is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Selectmen are considering changing the schedule of the China Transfer Station so it will be open on Tuesdays instead of Wednesdays as part of its four-day service. Staff file photo by David Leaming

Because so many holidays are on Mondays, this change would ensure that people wouldn’t have to wait from Sunday until Wednesday to bring their trash to the station during holiday weeks, L’Heureux said. It would also give employees two days off in a row.

Such a change will not take place immediately, and there will be proper public notice before final approval, L’Heureux said.

Meanwhile, the pay-per-bag trash disposal program that was put on hold in February after a public outcry will not be on the November election ballot, L’Heureux said. The proposal, which aims to improve recycling rates and lower transfer station costs by only accepting special higher-cost trash bags, will most likely go to a committee for review after the November election, he said.

Selectmen had planned earlier this year to temporarily enact the pay-per-bag program beginning in June, to be followed by a November election vote, but scrapped that idea. Some residents opposed the program, citing concerns that the select board was enacting the program before they could vote on it. Some were also concerned that the program would increase illegal dumping.

The transfer station’s coordinators also are moving the free-for-taking area to an independent site to the left of the hopper to improve the traffic flow in and out of the transfer station.

In addition, the Board of Selectmen also decided not to change the fees for commercially hauled municipal solid waste. No vote was taken because no action was required.

The selectmen did vote to have China take part in the household hazardous waste drop-off day in Winslow. From 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, at Winslow Public Works on Halifax Street, residents of participating towns can drop off hazardous waste for free. Hazardous waste materials include computers, waste fuels, oil, car batteries and more. People should not bring asbestos, infectious waste, fluorescent lights or thermometers.

The selectmen also voted to approve the state recommendations for changes in the general assistance ordinance, which are to be reviewed each year.

In other business, selectmen discussed whether working for both a committee and the select board was a conflict of interest. A representative from the Maine Municipal Association, an organization that offers professional services to municipalities, said that it shouldn’t pose a problem. Because committees can only recommend actions to the five-member select board, the selectmen decided it was not inappropriate to participate in both. More than half of selectboard members also are involved in multiple town committees, according to the town’s website.

The select board also is considering six items for the Nov. 8 ballot, including proposals to appropriate funds to buy properties on Causeway Road and behind the Town Office, to appropriate funds to conduct a community assessment to understand the needs of elderly residents, and revisions to two ordinances.

Madeline St. Amour – 861-9239

mstamour@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @madelinestamour

Related Stories