It won’t be long before residents have an inside look behind the local refuse district’s recycling program. Transfer Station Manager Steve Lewis informed Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District trustees June 13 that he approved a request to make a recycling public service announcement. The request was made by Boothbay Region Television volunteer Robert Jordan.

Lewis didn’t have many details, but thought it may show the various stages of how materials are recycled. “I’m not sure how long it will be,” Lewis said. “All I know is that he and his wife approached me about the video and it would take place soon.”

In other business, Lewis reported the recycling  market was only getting worse. In Fiscal Year 19, the district expected $65,000 in recycling revenue. Lewis characterized this as a “conservative” estimate, but now the figure is more likely around $20,000. “It continues to be a problem. We’ve done some belt-tightening in anticipation of missing our revenue target, and we won’t know the full extent until July 1,” he said.

For the second May in a row, the transfer station received a record amount of municipal solid waste. In 2018, the station received a record amount of tonnage with 288. In 2019, a new record was set. This May, the station received 321 tons. 

Trustees also received two repair updates. A new box truck was repaired shortly after being bought this spring. The truck experienced blown fuses, lost power and smelled hot. The truck was bought from Daigle and Houghton in Hermon, but was repaired by O’Connor’s of Augusta which is the closest Isuzu dealer.  A problem was found in the wiring. “The harness was down to bare wire, and we’re lucky it didn’t catch fire,” Lewis said.

The repair cost $3,000. Lewis reported Daigle and Houghton would likely “make good on the repair.” The CDB (Construction, Demolition, Bulky Waste) building’s wall needs repair. A crack has made the roof shift. The district received a $1,500 estimate from Randy McClintock for concrete work. Lewis approached Mike Tomacelli about facing each front with steel, but hasn’t received a quote. McClintock expects to begin work in mid- to late July.  “We have no choice this work must be done. I think we’re looking at a total cost of around $6,000.” Lewis said.

The district is renegotiating another five-year construction debris contract with Waste Management in Norridgewock. The deal expires this year.  Lewis also reported the district’s municipal solid waste will be going to the new Fiberight facility in Hampden on July 1. The new plant’s opening was delayed, resulting in BBRRD and other members being forced into finding alternatives. The BRRDD sent its MSW to a Norridgewock landfill. “They are shooting for July 1 for being fully operational. We took a load so they could look it over, and we received no feedback,” he said.

Trustees voted unanimously to write off 57 Giles Rubbish delinquent accounts deemed uncollectable. The accounts total $5,415.53, according to district officials.

The list showed the delinquent accounts were mostly of Wiscasset and Alna customers. Giles Rubbish employees made several calls to these delinquent accounts only to find them no longer in business or having no forwarding addresses, according to Lewis.

The trustees meet next at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 11.