By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — Highly valued by citizens of Casco and Naples, the bulky waste coupons are of no use to people as 2024 comes to a close.

First off, the bulky waste section of the two-town “dump” is closed to the public as construction takes place.

Secondly, when the facility does reopen in early January, the towns will be rolling out a new method for getting rid of bulky waste.

The towns will go from paper coupons printed out in 20-pound increments that add up to 2,000 pounds to a modern RFID card.

Currently, as stated on the Casco Town website, “Renovations at the bulky waste facility are in progress and are anticipated to be completed on schedule for the Jan. 10 reopening. Extensive ditching, grading and site preparation has been completed in preparation for cement work and the installation of new bulky waste hoppers.”

There is a link to an aerial view of the newly paved access road between the transfer station and the bulky waste entrance.

The reopening of the bulky waste area may very well fall in line with the unveiling of the new bulky waste system, according to Casco Town Manager Tony Ward.

“We have experienced some time constraints, but hope the system is implemented in January or February,” he said.

“B-Tech [Scales LLC] is the company that produces the product,” Ward said.

Last week, the topic of bulky waste coupons was on the agenda of the Casco Select Board. Ward introduced the agenda item.

The word coupon was being used throughout the conversation, although in a few months, people will be issued an RFID device to place in their vehicle.

“The dialogue is the discrepancy between Naples and Casco and how they distribute coupons. This dialogue is to come up with some consistency on the policy related to that. For example, we will have a single date when you get your weight allowance, a consistent date to issue the coupons,” Ward said.

Sue Witonis, who chairs the Casco-Naples Bulky Waste and Transfer Station Council, explained her objections to Casco’s policy for who receives bulky waste coupons.

“In Casco, if you own a piece of land with nothing on it, you don’t get bulky waste coupons. In Naples, you can get bulky waste coupons if a person has a undeveloped lot,” Witonis said.

She expressed concerns that Casco residents, when they clear the land, will have to pay out of pocket to remove any bulky waste that is generated on those undeveloped lots.

She asked the select board to take into consideration a different policy that includes lots without dwellings.

Chairman Eugene Connolly brought up the fact that if someone gets rid of 15 pounds of bulky waste, they hand over a 20-pound coupon. The printed coupons do not allow for exact poundage, only in 20-pound amounts.

That will change, Ward said.

“Part of the transition, it would be a new scanner system based on actual weight. It would be more accurate that way. That is coming,” Ward said.

He explained that because the matter is tied to the town’s budget, it is the select board’s responsibility to change policy, not the transfer station council’s decision.

“There is a financial aspect to it. How many lots are there that are vacant? That will be available at your next meeting,” he said.

Vice-chair Grant Plummer stated there would be mathematical formula based on the number of lot and the cost of each 2,000 pounds of potential bulky waste.

Ward elaborated.

“Each town pays tipping fees. Tipping fees for bulky waste comes out of [each town’s] operating budget,” Ward said.

Plummer said, “If we were going to add 100 lots of land at $200 dollars, that is going to add to our budget.”

Witonis questioned why residents were given the ability to get rid of a ton of bulky waste.

“I am not sure when bulky waste was started. When did the 2,000 pounds come into play,” she asked.

Earlier, Ward had said that a bullet point would be provided explaining why 2,000 pounds is the amount.

Select board member Scott Avery weighed in.

“This is the perfect time to revamp the system. If we are going to spend all that money on the facility, we should upgrade this. Two sets of rules — that is just chaos. We need one set of rules,” Avery said.

The select boards in both towns are grappling with making appropriate changes while construction is occurring, Ward said.

“This same dialogue that is happening here is happening in Naples,” he said.

Witonis spoke from the podium.

“We need to be consistent to a point. In the past, when we tried to do consolidation. You might have to bring up your level of service,” she said. “A majority of the people once they get familiar with the new coupon system, they will be happy because they will actually get 2000-pounds worth of trash because it won’t be rounded up.”