TOWN OF NEW HAMPTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
TOWN OFFICES
NEW HAMPTON, NH 03256
July 12, 2010
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Selectmen Paul Tierney and Kenneth Mertz were present.
OTHERS PRESENT:
Director of Public Works, James Boucher and Town Administrator Barbara
Lucas were present as well as Mark Gelinas and Paul St. Hillaire from
Bestway Disposal Services and Mr. Roy Boyer from Waste Management.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Paul Tierney called the meeting of the Board to order at 4:23 PM
to discuss a proposal for the solid waste for the Town of New Hampton and
any other business to come before the Board.
Bestway Disposal Services
Mark Gelinas and
Paul St. Hillaire
Solid Waste Pricing was provided back on June 17th. It was noted that the
only thing not included was the recycling. Single stream out of the Belmont
Transfer Station. Going to Connecticut and Boston, pending the Coop in
Concord. They take single stream from Bristol, Franklin, and Concord,
Gilmanton, Ashland. Sanbornton hasn’t switched to single stream but, they
are in the process of negotiations. Laconia will be on line in October.
Rate for single stream: Tip fee is zero. Started to charge a couple towns
because the rate is consistently dropping with the market. They are not zero
out at this time. Their Goal is to zero out and currently $5-$6 behind the
line. The commodities market Yellow Sheet advises what markets are doing
and is available on-line. For example in July corrugated cardboard went
down $10.
Mr. Mertz noted that right now the town can make some money on the
recyclables. It is not mandatory in New Hampton at this time. Mr. St.
Hillarie noted that Single stream means some town operations can make
money, and some do not cover costs including labor, equipment, utilities.
Some towns report they are making money, but he is doubtful it is really that
many towns do. Mr. Mertz noted that recycling is difficult because most
people don’t have 4 or 5 different receptacles in their houses.
Mr. St. Hillaire noted that Concord dropped their waste stream in half.
Haul fee is $140 but contamination rates can cause back charges. He
advised that they have not had much problem and no back charges have been
levied against a town. They do get complaints that cardboard has too much
moisture (the payment is by the pound) but that is par for the course.
Mr. Tierney noted containers rental fees were zero if they were emptied once
a month. Mr. St. Hillaire responded that they are interested in an average of
once a month. Mr. Boucher noted that paper would take 2 months to get a
Board of Selectmen, July 12, 2010, cont.
container. He was advised that single stream would increase the rate
containers are filled.
Plastics 3 through 7 are taken by Waste Management and the 1’s and 2’s are
baled up. Mr. Boucher noted that they had a pretty good system where
cardboard and paper are baled as well. Mr. Boucher was advised that if the
Town wanted to continue doing recycling Bestway could work with that.
However, if the paper is removed, they might have to revisit the situation
because that is the real revenue. Mr. St. Hillaire noted that if the Coop in
Concord comes to fruition, they will want everything, but the Bestway
representatives noted that the only money to be made is from paper. Cost is
in trucking it but they are losing about 5 to 6 dollars per ton.
If Bestway chose to take materials to the Coop, it would not affect the
pricing given to New Hampton, because they have the ability to take
materials where they can get the best price. There is no question that when
the Coop is up and running it will require going single stream, but Bestway
still has the Penacook location as well as Boston and Connecticut.
Mr. Boucher asked about looking at the costs for some of their customer
towns. There is the savings of reducing staff, insurance and that kind of
expense which is saved by going single stream, but New Hampton doesn’t
have any full time employees at the Transfer station. He wanted to know
about the costs for hauling versus the revenues lost for the recyclables.
Mr. Hillaire noted that if the Town were taking aluminum, paper and plastic
out, then Bestway would not be getting any revenue. There is a percentage
rate where expenses exceed cost. Glass for example is heavy and there is a
diminishing market for getting rid of it. New Hampshire has more glass and
aluminum because there is no deposit program as there is in Maine and
Massachusetts. He listed a number of towns they are working with for Mr.
Boucher to contact. It is like grading lumber: for example, figuring a load
might have 70% fiber (paper and cardboard) in the mix.
Bestway is headquartered out of Maine, but has operations in Belmont
(across from the Coke bottling plant) and in Brentwood. Bestway has
approximately 125-130 employees this time of year. The Belmont facility
has a drop off facility for the public where they take in single stream and
they take demo debris from anyone. The fee schedule is set up to handle
either private contractors or individuals. Mr. Mertz noted that in New
Hampton the fee schedule is where the town had to be careful of who is
using Town facilities and for what. The town also doesn’t have a weighing
scale to make this decision easier. But it was good to know that nonresidents could be referred to the Belmont facility. Mr. Mertz was advised
they take shingles, or any construction debris. No raw trash is taken. The
Board was invited to take a look at their facility.
The Bestway representatives noted it is hard to do both single stream and
recycling at the same time. Once people stop sorting, they are disinclined to
do it again. The issue of summer residents and the volume during the
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Board of Selectmen, July 12, 2010, cont.
summer affecting rates was discussed. In Bristol, the Bestway
representatives noted the tonnage almost doubles. New Hampton has a lot
of second homes and campgrounds, but it is probably not quite what Bristol
will do.
The compactor is owned by the Town. The container they crush in is
currently owned by Waste Management. The town would use a back hoe to
compact single stream in a container.
The $25 tip fee was at its highest a couple years ago. While the economy is
still indecisive the price is lower, but they didn’t expect that figure to go up.
Year one, year two, year three – those fees for tonnage are set. However the
prices per ton for trucking would go up based on the CPI. The surcharge on
fuel is necessary due to trucking costs, noting if it takes 25 gallons at
4.25/gallon they charge .25/gallons for the 25 gallons. Chances are they
would be going to the same locations each time. Most of their tonnage goes
to Bethlehem. Rate would be from Belmont to Bethlehem.
Bestway runs the transfer station at City of Concord, they have one in
Bangor, and they have a station in Raymond.
Mr. Boucher asked for the list of towns they work with to be emailed to Mrs.
Lucas. They said they would send all the towns – not a selected list. The
Board thanked them both for coming before the Board.
Mr. Mertz indicated he would love to go single-stream if the numbers would
prove out. Mr. Tierney said that was what they were trying to do – but with
the information they have on New Hampton’s activity, they are in effect
comparing apples to oranges. Mr. Boucher said he wasn’t sure which
system he would prefer. He wanted to check with other towns and see what
they do. In Newmarket for example, he noted that if they appropriated
$150,000 for their Transfer station, all recyclables and make $30,000 back,
then it is down to $120,000 to provide the service to their citizens. Single
stream reduces the cost to $49/ton and it is only costing $130,000. It is
difficult to determine what the cost would be in the tip fees for New
Hampton because of the recycling they are doing now. Mr. Boucher asked
how many more trips would there be when they are not compacting as they
are now.
The selectmen tried to quickly estimate the three year average on what New
Hampton does currently in tonnage and in costs using a low-ball estimate of
20% less tonnage for MSW. There is difficulty in estimating citizen
participation and reducing the figures over a three year period as proposed
by Bestway. Tipping fee considerations would have to be added back in to
that figure as well as the additional hauls - even with a 40 foot container as
opposed to the 30 foot container currently used. The total weight of
recyclables we currently truck out to sell has to be figured back in as tonnage
to be sent out as single stream. Mr. Boucher noted that some years the Town
can make some money, and some years the Town has to pay to get rid of
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Board of Selectmen, July 12, 2010, cont.
materials. A problem in revenue for recyclables in New Hampton is lack of
storage for materials until the markets hit peak. Mr. Boucher does not want
to be responsible for saving everything – some things like glass and asphalt
are particularly difficult. He currently pays $10/ton to truck glass to
Ossipee.
A decision has to be made before the end of the month. Mr. Mertz
summarized the Board’s dilemma: How much money are we giving up for
selling recyclables, and how much more we would pay for the additional
hauls, and what is the decrease in tipping fees for MSW and reducing MSW
hauls.
Waste Management
Roy Boyer
Mr. Tierney asked Mr. Boyer if Waste Management can offer single stream.
He was advised that they can do it. They truck it from Laconia to
Massachusetts and then get a figure rebated back for the haul. Paper, for
example has the formula $45/ton for tipping fees. Anything over $45 the
Town would get 60 cents on the dollar in revenue. If value is under $45/ton
the Town would pay the whole cost. This would apply for single stream.
Trucking costs would be $125 per haul.
In comingled loads it would be still be $125 per haul, but with no rebate and
with no charge as is done now. There would be no paper in the loads.
Comingle includes things like glass and other materials that cannot be baled.
Mr. Mertz – asked if the Town could take anything marketable and leave
Waste Management with the non-marketable material as comingled. Mr.
Boyer explained that single stream takes everything so the load is potentially
more valuable based on the market. The town would get a portion of the
revenue generated from that. Currently the tipping fee is the same as for
MSW at $125/haul.
He further explained the advantage to single stream is the ease for citizens.
The cost per ton in a low recycling market is still less per ton than MSW, but
costs for the haul is the same. The benefit is increasing the recyclables and
decreasing MSW tonnage.
Mr. Boucher asked what other towns of similar size are seeing. He was
advised that with single stream you will see an decrease in fees because
there will be less trash coming in. Recycling is the best way to reduce the
costs for the town.
Mrs. Lucas asked about rental fees for containers. Mr. Boyer stated that due
to the longevity of the Town’s account, and the close proximity of the
location, he had the authority to exclude the rental per month per container
by $75 which translated to savings of $150 per month.
Currently Waste Management removes comingled, and demo construction
waste. The Town also is getting revenue for paper and steel it gets rid of
separately. With single stream, steel items and iron wouldn’t go in – but
aluminum would go in to the comingled materials. Refrigerators and similar
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Board of Selectmen, July 12, 2010, cont.
items would also not be included and charged separately. Mrs. Lucas noted
that figures for steel (cost and revenues) would have to be removed from the
figures the selectmen worked with earlier in the evening. It was noted that
steel and scrap metals are the heaviest component at the transfer station and
the greatest revenue for the town.
Mr. Boyer noted that for single stream figures, the Town needs to figure the
number of tons for paper which will now be included. But, he advised, you
have to look at the market at the time too. Right now it is about even for
Waste Management to get rid of paper. A while back the market was way
down but the cost was not passed on to their customers.
Mr. Mertz asked about contamination fees for caps on bottles and that kind
of thing. He was advised that the caps do have to be removed.
Waste Management has a transfer station in Avon Massachusetts where their
single stream goes. Mrs. Lucas asked about the facility for MSW in
Bethlehem and noted the towns using that facility had tonnage charges in the
$50 range but noted their haul charges are $250. Mr. Boyer questioned the
time left at the Bethlehem site. Mr. Boyer stated Waste Management takes
their materials to Rochester which is a landfill with a 20 year expected life
span. He noted that when Rochester closes Waste Management still owns
Wheelabrator in Concord. He noted that with his company the price is the
price regardless of whether the receiving facility had to close for whatever
reason, or couldn’t take the materials, there is no change in the fees. He
noted that is the benefit of working with a company as big as Waste
Management. They have a billion dollar liability which indemnifies towns
from any issues with possible future superfund sites.
Mr. Boyer was advised the Town's decision will be made at the end of the
month. The Selectmen were advised that there would be no difficulty with
the changeover if the Town decided to go to single stream. Mr. Boyer noted
that if people bring in one barrel now, with single stream they will bring in
two. Brochures will be emailed to Mrs. Lucas regarding the instructions for
single stream. He thanked the Board, and noted he is very interested in
keeping New Hampton as a customer. While his goal is continue servicing
his customers, he still has to provide some benefit to his shareholders, but he
asked if there was any point of concern which he might be able to address
that he hadn't covered. The Board advised him that the relationship with
Waste Management has been very good, but they had to do due diligence. It
is a process that requires they have to consider all options.
Mr. Boyer was asked by Mr. Boucher for a recent success story for a similar
sized town that has gone to single stream. He was told Moultonborough
recently went to single stream, but it was fairly recently and he doesn’t have
figures. He noted that single stream theory is that instead of people doing
the sorting and not everyone participates, with single stream you have
greater participation – and people bring in more stuff and there is greater
revenue. The benefit to the town’s operating cost is minimal because the
size of the staff is small, but the overall benefit to the Town would be in
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Board of Selectmen, July 12, 2010, cont.
greater participation and reduced impact on landfills.
Mr. Tierney stated that it is not necessarily cost alone that is a consideration,
but best service for the Town which he considers. Mr. Boyer advised that he
might be able to shave a little on hauling and tonnage but would have to
check with management before making a commitment. He reminded the
Selectmen that Waste Management has more than enough insurance and
liability to cover any possible future superfund cleanup. Bestway might not
be able to do that. There isn’t another facility closer to Waste Management.
Mr. Boucher said there have been no issues. Changing over to a 40 yard
container will also reduce the number of hauls for co-mingled.
Mr. Boyer said that he could provide a vendor for disposal of other items,
i.e.: White goods are $20 (including CPU’s) to remove them. TV’s are $40
and refrigerator without Freon is $20; $25 with Freon. He said Waste
Management can haul them. Computer monitors as well as CPU’s are $20.
Mr. Mertz noted it is a lot more money than we charge people for bringing
them in. The Waste Management representative can set New Hampton up
with his vendors to pick up those materials at the same price he is charged to
get rid of them. He can get rid of all of them for the town. He expressed his
desire to make Waste Management the whole service, recycling and
everything. For steel he can offer competitive pricing, and exceptional
service. Steel is something the Town can make more money getting rid of it
themselves.
Mr. Tierney expressed some interest in this, but noted he would entertain
that separately from the current discussion because the Board is in the
middle of contract
Recycling CRT’s, fluorescent bulbs are items Waste Management can take
care of for the Town.
Sandwich is doing single stream since May 15th. The figures on the break
down of the single stream will be made available to New Hampton to get an
idea of what New Hampton might see.
Mrs. Lucas noted that the contract did not have the wording that comingled
is $0 per ton and $125 for haul. He pointed out where it was noted for her.
He advised the Board he would get the figures to them in the next day or two
for the various items in single stream (the revenue sharing component) and
for co-mingle they discussed tonight. This way the Town can shift over
either right away or make the change later if they decide it is the better route,
and the contract paperwork would not change.
The Board thanked him for his time and advised him a decision will be made
at the end of the month.
Mr. Boucher said he would like to visit Sandwich about their experience and
get back to the Board as quickly as possible. Mr. Tierney asked Mrs. Lucas
to contact Bestway to see if there was any cost (or revenue) for single stream
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Board of Selectmen, July 12, 2010, cont.
mixed recyclables. Mr. Mertz also asked that she might be able to get any
information on liability and life expectancy of delivery sites used by
Bestway.
OTHER BUSINESS:
At 5:45 PM Mr. Bartley called the Town Offices, stating that he thought the
Board meeting was at 8 PM, but Mrs. Lucas advised it had been at 4:00 PM.
He advised he would come down but Mrs. Lucas noted there was only 25
minutes or so left in the meeting.
Hatchery Road Signpost
Mr. Mertz mentioned to Mr. Boucher that the sign post at corner of Hatchery
Road which had been hit by a loader was starting to bend. A sharp edge
needs to be fixed or removed.
Septic Design Review
Anthony Guyotte
Tax Map R-19, Lot 17
1380 Winona Road
The property had an existing shop with a studio apartment above it and a
proposed 2 bedroom house approved by the ZBA. The Septic Design was
reviewed for proper set backs. The motion to approve was made by Mr.
Tierney, seconded by Mr. Mertz. The motion was passed unanimously.
Old Bristol Road
Proposed Stone Wall
Mr. Mertz noted he did some research regarding a proposed stone wall
installation on Old Bristol Road which he shared with the Board. Some
reference materials noted a 1983 court case in Hampton where a stone wall
was found to be considered an encroachment and a nuisance by the state
after it was approved by the Town because it was too close to the right of
way under RSA 236:15. The right of way determination has been often
based on historical documentation or by existing stone walls.
Mr. Mertz noted some stone walls just after the property were fairly close to
the roadway. He noted some areas of the wall were broken down because
plows had hit them over the years. More research on the right of way there
is necessary. The issue will be taken up at a future meeting at the site.
Central Street Bridge
Draft Letter
A letter which had been reviewed by the Town Attorney for an agreement
with Winterset will be changed to reflect a corrected date for payment. Once
reviewed and approved by the Board, the letter will be approved by the
Bristol Board before it is sent out. Mrs. Lucas noted the punch list will not
be incorporated into this letter as requested by Winterset, but it will refer to a
second letter with the punch list will be referenced.
Mr. Bartley’s Resignation
Mr. Tierney reviewed the requirements for a non-public session, and
determined this discussion would not rise to those requirements. He stated
he was troubled by Mr. Bartley’s wish to withdraw his resignation. He is
cognizant of Mr. Bartley’s belief he is feeling better, but there have been
numerous occasions he has not been able to attend before the most recent
health issues and there have been other occasions when he had difficulty
with detail in the course of his duties. Tonight’s meeting time is a case in
point.
Mr. Mertz stated he believed the Board should not consider withdrawing Mr.
Bartley’s resignation and go forward with finding a replacement. He noted
he believed Mr. Bartley should concentrate on his own needs and health
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Board of Selectmen, July 12, 2010, cont.
issues, and because the Town would be ill served as the Board goes into its
hectic fall session. Anyone who has not served previously would have to be
brought up to speed before the fall budget season.
Mr. Tierney noted he felt this way when Mr. Bartley initially submitted his
resignation, and nothing Mr. Bartley has said since has changed his mind.
Mr. Tierney made a motion that the Board would not honor Mr. Bartley’s
request to withdraw his resignation. Mr. Mertz seconded and the motion
passed unanimously.
A phone call to Mr. Bartley was then made. Mr. Tierney advised Mr.
Bartley of the Board’s decision and noted the reasons they accepted his
resignation initially were concerns for Mr. Bartley’s health and his needs but
noted their second concern was for the business before the Board and the
needs of the Town. Mr. Bartley noted he understood. He stated he has
enjoyed his term, and while he is sorry it has turned this way, he will respect
the wishes of the Board. He offered to continue attending meetings until
such time as a replacement is found. On behalf of the Board, Mr. Tierney
thanked Mr. Bartley, welcomed his attendance and participation and advised
him the next meeting would be on Wednesday, July 21st at 5:30 PM.
Sand Hill Road
Mr. Mertz advised that he had occasion to visit Sand Hill Road. He noted a
car was parked by the house, and the pavement looked as if it had been
scooped out beyond that parked car. He guessed that perhaps grading that
area might suffice. His question was whether major repairs were reasonable
for the limited access required by PSNH beyond the home. He noted that
the downhill side does show some erosion.
A fuller discussion will be continued when the site is visited by the Board on
July 21st at 5:30 PM. Mr. Boucher will be in attendance with the measuring
wheel.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None was heard.
ADJOURNMENT:
It was moved by Selectman Tierney to adjourn, seconded by Selectman
Mertz. The vote passed and the meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kristin J. Harmon
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