Council weighs landfill fee as towns coordinate on closure costs

Councilors described mounting landfill and closure pressures and discussed whether the town should impose a landfill fee for residents or seek broader county coordination.

Chair Cheryl Cox said several nearby towns are facing the same issues and suggested working together with neighboring clerks and mayors before imposing a fee. "Everybody in this county has got a problem with landfill issues, and I'm trying to get us to work now with the county and with all the other towns because everybody is struggling," she said.

Members considered a short-term postponement of a landfill fee if the county or adjacent towns can provide support; they also discussed a potential per-visit fee (staff suggested examples such as $15) and asked staff to convene meetings with nearby towns to build a joint approach to the landfill closure costs and operations.

The council did not take a formal vote but directed staff to pursue interlocal discussions and to present cost estimates and timelines at the next meeting.