RPC presentation: hazardous‑waste study flags options for single‑day events and permanent facility

RPC staff presented high‑level findings from a hazardous‑waste participation study for the region. The study recorded a 4.1% participation rate across Rockingham County, with Brentwood contributing 309 participants to the survey.

RPC staff said the current single‑day event model cost roughly $336,000 total and that RPC sees a permanent facility as a potentially lower‑cost long‑term option, though questions remain about siting, staffing and funding sources. Brentwood’s per‑participant cost in the study was cited as relatively low (about $11,700 total quoted for the town in contrast with a cited Portsmouth figure of $50,000 for 286 participants), prompting the board to ask RPC staff to clarify cost methodology.

Board members discussed trade‑offs: single‑day events are familiar but limit access for residents who cannot save and transport items to designated days, while permanent facilities raise questions about site location and ongoing operations. RPC indicated the study stage is ongoing and funding options are being explored; no local decision was taken.

RPC also reviewed a separate stream‑crossing navigator tool (developed with UNH) that provides towns with inventories and risk assessments for culverts and road‑stream crossings.