The weather outside might be frightful, but as far as the gang at Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District is concerned, it’s summer. Manager Steve Lewis reported that the transfer station would begin summers hours April 16, one day after the Monday Patriots Day holiday. The transfer station opens at 8 a.m. and will close at 5 p.m. each Monday through Saturday for the new season.

Lewis made the announcement April 12 during the district board of directors monthly meeting at the business office in Boothbay. Directors concluded some unfinished business from March. They voted unanimously to adopt a new policy for delinquent accounts after a recent review by their attorney. The policy states services are no longer provided to customers 90 days past due. For delinquent accounts, the district may seek legal action against customers in court which includes obtaining a lien against real estate and other property belonging to the customer. 

The customer may also be assessed legal fees, collection agency fees, service charges, return check charges and late charges. The policy also states customers’ responsibility for telling where bills are sent. 

In other action, the district is in dire need of a new hook truck and doesn't have time to wait for buying a brand new one. Lewis reported a brand new truck wouldn’t be ready until September which meant the district would be without a hook truck for the busiest time of the year. Plan B, buying a used hook truck, is proving more difficult than it sounds.

Lewis has sought help from local truck dealerships in searching for a used truck in the Northeast without any success. “I can’t believe how hard it’s been finding a truck. We thought we found one, but it got sold today,” he said. Lewis plans on waiting two to three more weeks hoping a suitable replacement appears in the Northeast, but he is considering buying one in West Palm Beach, Florida. “We’ll give it a little more time and see what happens,” Lewis said.

Lewis received authority to spend up to $130,000 if the district finds a truck. The directors voted unanimously authorizing him to seek a bank loan to buy a hook truck. 

The directors meet next at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 9 in Boothbay.