By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Starting July 1, the Bridgton Transfer Station will dump its long-time T’s and S’s schedule in favor of giving workers at least one weekend day of R & R.

Currently, the Transfer Station is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays along with Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For some time, Public Services Director David Madsen has heard from staff that they would like at least one day off on the weekend — and like most others, get the chance to do family-related activities.

Madsen told the Bridgton Select Board that the only way workers can get a weekend day off is to use vacation time.

To find a better life-work balance, Madsen proposed four alternative schedules:

Option 1: Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Option 2: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Option 3: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Option 4: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

While workers favor Option 1, Madsen thought Option 2 might be a better compromise for both workers and Transfer Station users since the facility will be open later.

“It’s going to be a learning curve, with the biggest change is taking Sunday away,” Madsen said. “Most commercial haulers come during the week. I don’t know if there is a perfect answer — what residents would be most happy with?”

Select Board member Carrye Castleman-Ross stressed the importance of “educating people” regarding the change and “keeping the crew happy.”

While Select Board members Bob McHatton and Paul Tworog initially supported Option 2 — “it’s a better option for the taxpayers,” McHatton felt — both decided to give Option 1 a try for a year and see how it goes.

“If it’s not working, maybe one of the non-Saturday days be run from 8:30 to 5,” Tworog suggested.

“The guys are flexible,” Madsen said. “We could do a 10-hour on Saturday if we want to open early.”

The board voted 5-0 to try Option 1.

UPDATE: The Select Board will consider a possible reconsideration of this action at this Tuesday's meeting, June 13.

In other board business:

Don’t throw it out, recycle clothing. 85% of clothing ends up in the trash, but Apparel Impact wants to change that.

Since 2014, Apparel Impact (AI) has assisted municipalities in removing old, worn clothing and accessories from their trash flow and either recycled the materials for other uses or help people clothe their families.

AI would like to add Bridgton to its list of 930 bin hosts and partners across New England (130-plus in Maine). Via Zoom, Lisa Bitterman gave the Select Board an overview of the veteran-owned textile recycler and how it could save Bridgton money.

AI would provide a drop-off bin (or more depending on need) and maintain it. While the town currently has a Salvation Army drop-off bin at the Transfer Station, Bitterman noted that AI accepts items that other agencies like Salvation Army do not.

“All items must be dry, contain no odor or mold. Items do not need to be in wearable condition,” Bitterman noted.

The lengthy list includes all clothing, including undergarments along with sheets and towels; all footwear from heels, sandals to flip flops; all accessories including hats, purses, backpacks, belts, gloves, scarves and jewelry.

For example, Bitterman noted that stained shirts would be unacceptable by some donation companies, but AI would repurpose that shirt, possibly as industrial wiping cloths. Shoes can be shredded and melted down into a material used for underlayment for carpeting. Flip flops can be chopped up and made into a mat.

She noted that the EPA reports that 17 million tons of textile waste is generated each year, costing almost a billion dollars to taxpayers.

“100% of clothing, if not reused can be recycled,” Bitterman said. “Consumption of apparel is expected to increase 63% by 2030. Everyone is worried about plastic waste, but we really need to be worried about textile waste.”

What can AI do for Bridgton in regards to textile waste? Reuse, repurpose and recycle.

“We can help the community save valuable resources and not waste tax dollars that can be used for other programs,” she said.

Bitterman pointed to Sanford which pulled 134 tons of textiles from its waste stream, saving $10,720 in tipping fees.

Items in useable condition are provided to families in need. “We invite people to a central location, items are brought in and people come in and take what they need,” Bitterman said.

Other items are bagged and sent to “clothing graders,” which then put a price on the clothing and sell them to consignment stores.

Dropped off items are collected weekly, and AI provides municipalities with a 24/7 customer service line. Where bins are placed are up to the town. Bitterman noted Fryeburg is using an AI container and has experienced good success — “it’s one of our top producing sites,” she said.

“We move 225 tons of clothing every month,” she reported. “When you explain to people they can put jeans that are ripped at the knee into the bin, people are shocked. When you educate people (on what we do), they are all in.”

Select Board member Carrye Castleman-Ross agreed there is an “incredible need to recycle textiles. More is being thrown away than Salvation Army and Goodwill can handle.”

Select Board member Bob McHatton added, “I’ve been trained that Salvation Army stuff is still wearable, and shabby things go into our hopper.”

Officials asked Public Service Director David Madsen if there is room at the Transfer Station for another collection bin, or are there other locations it could be placed, Madsen cautioned using the Town Hall site since if the bin is placed behind the building, some people could use it as a dumpster.

“The bin at Lampron’s is always filled,” McHatton said.

Madsen liked the idea of possibly partnering up with a local business as a bin site location.

“The Transfer Station is monitored, and we know what happens in unmonitored places. It seems like a natural fit,” Town Manager Bob Peabody said.

“Finding real estate may be difficult,” Madsen noted. “It’s a great idea.”

“It’s an absolutely worthwhile opportunity. If it doesn’t work out, they pull the bin out,” McHatton said.

Officials plan to take a closer look at bin location opportunities, as well as receive more information from Apparel Impact regarding how it would go about educating the public about the recycling program.