Transfer Station Committee Meeting Minutes 8/10/23

Transfer Station Committee

Minutes of 8/10/23

Members present: Jim Hunt (DO); Melissa Noe (TA), Ilene Marcus and Susan Cooper.  Susan Cooper acting as Secretary.

Others Present: Susan Waite, Department of Environmental Protection

The meeting was convened at 2:10 pm

Meeting with Susan Waite, Monterey’s Municipal Assistance Coordinator for Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regarding assessment of Monterey municipal waste habits and options for reducing municipal solid waste and containing cost increases in the future.

Discussion of Casella’s destruction of the compactor.

Discussion regarding Pay As You Throw (PAYT) options and possibilities for Monterey.

Susan Waite explained that we residents can receive a specified number of bags/ week with their sticker and then purchase additional bags.

She said that some towns have down pilot trials where some residents participate.  Their trash is weighed for a number of weeks before the trial begins, and then they are given bags but limited to a specified number each week to see if weight of MSW decreases.

It may make more sense for Monterey to try to do a cost analysis of the PAYT system, public education required to get acceptance and initiate the effort, and investigation of partners, including where bags might be sold.  We would need to also project future tipping over the next 5-10 years.  We already know that costs will increase at least 10% next year.  Melissa expressed concerns about how bags would be available and whether we would need more staff at the TS.  We also discussed where bags might be available if we went forward with PAYT, and Ilene volunteered to reach out to Gould Farm to see if they would carry them at the Roadside when it reopens.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:45.