~$13M Trash & Recycling Deal Highlights Fiscal Pressures and Tradeoffs
After months of deliberation and a marathon meeting on October 16th, the Select Board voted unanimously 4-0 to approve a new five-year trash and recycling contract with Republic Services. The decision followed extensive debate over service levels, budget constraints, and resident feedback, culminating in a compromise that aims to balance cost savings with maintaining essential services.
Key Details of the Approved Contract
- Vendor: Republic Services
- Term: 5 years
- Annual Cost: $2,289,279 + 5%
- Service Level: Weekly trash and recycling pickup for the first year
- Bulk Item Pickup: Not included in base service; residents may pay $30 for burnable items and $40 for small metal items, with a 5% annual increase. This was negotiated down from $75 and $80, respectively, during the meeting
- Bulk Events: Are planned for Spring and Fall where residents can drop off their bulk items for free, similar to the recycling and paper shredding events ran by the DPW
- Future Adjustments: The town retains the option to switch to bi-weekly recycling after the first year
Board Member Absence
Select Board member Karen Herrick was absent from the meeting, despite having previously confirmed her availability. Her absence was noted during the discussion, and some board members expressed frustration given the significance of the vote.
If we’re split tonight, that’s a problem,” said board member Carlo Bacci. “She should be here. It’s not right.”
And the board was indeed divided 2-2 shortly thereafter and remained so for most of the night. Herrick’s absence left the remaining four members to navigate a complex decision without full board input, prompting concerns about representation and accountability.
Balancing Budget and Services
The board grappled with the challenge of rising costs and the town’s limited budget. While some members advocated for maintaining weekly recycling and bulk pickup, others emphasized the need to reduce expenses to avoid further reliance on free cash or triggering a tax override.
Town Manager Matt Kraunelis and staff clarified that the approved contract fits within the town’s current financial framework, though it pushes the limits of the budget. The Finance Committee recently authorized the use of $6.75 million in free cash to balance the FY26 budget, and the additional cost of weekly recycling may require further financial planning.
Resident Impact and Feedback
Board members cited mixed feedback from residents—some prioritized maintaining current services, while others favored cost savings. Data showed that only about 7% of households requested a second recycling cart, suggesting that bi-weekly recycling may be feasible for most.
I’ve talked to a lot of people over the last couple weeks and I agree that it’s kind of half and half. Half of them think, ‘I pay taxes, trash impacts every single resident in the town and that’s not something they want to give away.’ And then I have the other half that’s like, ‘I don’t care, I need the cheapest value and that’s all I want.’” — Karen Rose Gillis
Concerns were raised about the potential for increased recycling overflow and confusion among residents, especially seniors. To address this, the board discussed the possibility of offering additional recycling carts and hosting seasonal bulk item drop-off events at the DPW.
Waste Management Confusion
During the later part of the meeting, Select Board member Carlo Bacci uncovered a significant oversight in Waste Management’s proposal: the base pricing only included one trash and one recycling cart per household. Additional carts—already distributed to hundreds of residents (383 trash & 526 recycling)—were not factored into their bid. “So, what is considered extra carts to you?” Bacci asked, prompting Waste Management to clarify that any carts beyond the one-and-one standard would incur extra monthly charges of $10 for weekly service and $6 for bi-weekly. This revelation raised concerns about the true cost of the contract and its impact on families already using multiple carts.
Republic’s Response and Improvements
Republic Services representatives acknowledged past service issues but emphasized improvements in operations and customer service. They committed to using newer, more efficient trucks and agreed to match Waste Management’s lower pricing for burnable bulk and small metal items. The contract also includes 19 new penalty clauses including missed pickups (after 24hrs), adding accountability.
Looking Ahead
The board agreed to revisit the recycling schedule after the first year, potentially transitioning to bi-weekly service depending on budgetary needs and resident adaptation. The override discussion looms large, with members noting that future decisions may hinge on voter support for increased funding.
Final Vote
The motion to approve the contract with Republic Services passed 4-0, with Select Board member Karen Herrick absent. The town will issue a notice of intent to Republic Services, and the contract is expected to begin July 1, 2026.
The complete meeting can be seen below:
