WESTBOROUGH – The transfer station could still be available to residents, with conditions.
Seven months after informing the town that it would shut down residential access to its transfer station, Harvey’s/Waste Connections recently told the town it was willing to keep the site accessible.
“We were surprised by that,” said Town Manager Kristi Williams, who is a liaison to the Waste Management Exploratory Committee. “We’re now able to focus on the charge of the committee as it was created several months ago without that June 30, 2024, end date.”
The station was scheduled to be closed to residents on June 30, 2024. However, the town is discussing possible conditions with Harvey’s/Waste Connections in order for it to remain open.
A possibility could include single-stream recycling.
Should an agreement be reached, it should be a more comprehensive, multiyear deal, said Alan Ehrlich, who is the Board of Health’s representative to the committee.
The news comes as the committee continues to meet with local haulers to discuss curbside recycling.
“As recommended by this committee, we were preparing to explore a full curbside program before the announcement,” said Williams.
One point was made clear – if the town chooses another hauler, the transfer station will be closed to residents.
“If we choose another vendor, the existing transfer station’s no longer an option,” said Shelby Marshall, the Select Board’s representative to the committee.
During its Wednesday, July 12, meeting, the committee also discussed the options of pay-as-you-throw, composting and disposal of bulky items.
There was another bit of good news for the town – Harvey’s/Waste Connections will charge $60 per ton for fiscal 2024, instead of the announced rate of $85/ton.
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