Should Bridgton enact a Pay-Per-Bag practice regarding solid waste disposal at the Transfer Station or not?

The question is on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Recently, Recycling Committee members met with Bridgton Town Manager Bob Peabody to discuss Pay Per Bag (PPB) and to clarify some commonly asked questions and concerns. 

Peabody, who has been Bridgton’s town manager for the past eight years, had extensive experience with PPB while serving as town manager of Rockport.

“The committee is thankful to Mr. Peabody for his time, experience, and knowledge on the subject of PPB. The Recycling Committee would like to extend thanks to Mr. Peabody and the Bridgton Select Board for their endorsement of PPB on the ballot,” the group said in a joint written statement.

“The town of Bridgton is one of the fastest growing communities in Cumberland County with approximately 6% growth over the past several years. While we are excited to welcome new residents to our town, it results in an increase in the amount of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) being handled by our Transfer Station,” the group reported. “Unfortunately, since its inception in 2010, single sort recycling numbers have remained stagnant at roughly 20%. The town has budgeted $210,000 to cover the cost of MSW tipping fees for the 2,628 tons of solid waste generated. This represents approximately a third of the total Transfer Station budget.” 

The Recycling Committee includes Sally Chappell (chairwoman), Maureen McDevitt, Kate Fitzcharles, Therese Johnson, Donna Joss, Rachel Miller, Maureen Harpell and Patti Howard (Selectman Bob McHatton serves as a liaison between the board and the committee).

The group’s “mission and charge” — as given by the Select Board —is “to improve the recycling rate of the Town while reducing the disposal costs associated with the waste stream.  Committee members shall become knowledgeable in the general operations of the transfer station, methods of disposal and recycling.  Working with the Station Manager, town staff and Ecomaine as well as the community, the Committee shall recommend to the Select Board those policies, practices and procedures that might assist the Town in reducing its disposal costs.  The Committee shall recommend any ordinance changes necessary to support the reduction of solid waste disposal costs, improve recycling opportunities and rates and provide other recommendations for consideration by the Select Board.”

The following questions were presented to Peabody by the Recycling Committee:

Recycling Committee: Is increasing the amount of recyclables the one controllable method the town has to offset the cost of handling our MSW?

Peabody:Absolutely. Increasing the amount we recycle, results in a direct savings. The $35/ton tipping fee is less than half of the current $79.50 for MSW.

Recycling more helps lower the cost of operating the Transfer Station, which will result in savings.  Remember, the goal of PPB is to increase recycling, reduce expenses and stabilize taxes.

Recycling Committee:How will PPB be implemented?

Peabody:The final plans for rolling out PPB will take place after the vote. The town is currently working with a bag vendor. Within the budget, a line will be set up for bag purchase. The cost per bag is based on the total operating cost less the tipping fee. In 2021, the cost to handle our MSW was $201,083. A large bag holds 30 pounds. We would need approximately 175,170 bags. To determine the cost of each bag, the cost of MSW is divided by the number of bags needed. 

At the time of this interview, bag cost to the public are not finalized, but I feel comfortable stating the bag price will be $1.25 for a 30-gallon bag. The town will pay the sales tax on the bags at the time of purchase. This means the public will not pay tax on them at time of purchase. These bags are a heavier mil rate than the bags commonly sold by other companies. Initially, the bags will be available for purchase at the town office and the transfer station. Within 90 days or less, bags will also be available at multiple local vendors.

Recycling Committee:Will all of the money raised from the sale of the bags be used to fund the operating cost of our Transfer Station? How will the revenues from the sale of bags be used to offset the Transfer Station budget?

Peabody:Each department puts in their requested budget. The town manager formulates the budget. The gross budget minus the projected revenues equals the net budget. Money generated by the sale of the bags would be entered as part of the revenues. The resulting numbers help set the tax rate. 

Some portion, if not all of the money will help reduce town expenses. The money from the sale of bags becomes part of the calculation and is included as a budget offset. During my time as manager of the town of Rockport, we saw a budget savings of 50%. 

Recycling Committee: Some residents feel that PPB represents double taxation. Will there be a decrease in other fees to offset the cost of bags?

Peabody:It is not double taxation. Residents already need to purchase bags to dispose of MSW. And not all people that use our transfer station are taxpayers. Many are renters and summer visitors. That is why PPB is so fair. Cost is based on usage similar to other utilities. Renters, commercials haulers, and campground owners will recoup some of their expenses for bags via the fees they charge. The low sticker fee of $10 per household every two years will remain. The sticker allows a person to utilize the Transfer Station’s many services.

Recycling Committee:The Recycling Committee and the Select Board believes PPB is fair. How else can we ensure all residents pay their share of the disposal cost and how can we be certain that trash is not being brought in from other communities?

Peabody:That is what makes PPB such a great system. The designated bag color immediately identifies the MSW as acceptable. If haulers or others come in with trash in regular bags, they will be required to purchase the proper bags and place the trash into these bags, prior to unloading. At this point, if some MSW is from out of town, it is paid for.

Recycling Committee:An often-voiced concern has been in regards to low income residents and the possibility that PPB will be a burden. How would you respond to this?

Peabody:The Select Board has not created a policy, yet. But, we understand the concern over the cost to our low-income citizens and the Select Board are considering options.

Recycling Committee:Another concern is the town will raise the cost of the bags after the first year. 

Peabody:The current price should be okay for the next two to three years. The Select Board will evaluate this annually. I cannot guarantee after that because the cost of everything is rising. It will depend on how much cost needs to be offset in the budget.

Recycling Committee: In your prior experience with PPB in Rockport, was there an uptick in off-road dumping?

Peabody:No, not really. Most items dumped on the side of the road tend to be large items — refrigerators, tires, couches, etc. — and that happens no matter what. It’s fair to say that the type of individual who throws trash in the woods is already doing it. A good citizen will not all of a sudden start off-road dumping of their trash just because of PPB. The town has illegal dumping and littering ordinances in place and they will be enforced.

Recycling Committee:Once PPB passes, what is the projected roll out time line?

Peabody:It is generally 90 days to roll out of PPB.

Recycling Committee:Regarding PPB and recycling, is it possible to give an incentive?

Peabody: The incentive is to hold the line. Money from the sale of PPB is revenue. Revenue helps to stabilize taxes, reduce expenses and offset the cost of running the Transfer Station. PPB is a fair and equitable way to raise that revenue.

“Bridgton residents have important choices to make on Nov. 8. With the full backing of the Select Board and the town manager, the Bridgton Recycling Committee hopes the case has been made to go forward with PPB.”