Sludge disposal fees for Boothbay Harbor Sewer District (BHSD) will increase following a review of the 2025 pricing from its current provider Casella. According to operator-in-charge Chris Higgins, the plant generates 375 tons of sludge per year, whose disposal costs about $185 per wet ton.  

Under the new proposed contract, this number increases to $227.51 per ton; however, this figure is liable to change due to surcharges based on rising fuel costs and the possible shipment of the sludge to Canadian landfills. Higgins explained, Maine’s landfills are becoming structurally unstable due to the lack of “bulky waste," such as furniture, appliances and construction materials. If Casella must dispose in Canada, this will bring the base cost up to $276 per ton. 

BHSD’s contract will need to be renewed by the end of June.  

In other business, the district got bids back from T Buck Construction and Apex Construction for phase 1 of its sea wall project. Each bid totaled about $6 million. The decision of which company to contract with will be made in the following weeks. Construction will likely begin next year, Higgins said.