Phippsburg board appoints alternates, authorizes waste contract signature and sets transfer-station holiday policy

Phippsburg’s select board on June 17 approved several administrative appointments, authorized a short contract extension, and set a firm policy for transfer‑station holiday closures.

Anna Variant, who opened the select‑board meeting, led the approvals. The board moved to appoint Alvin “Ed” Tombs as an alternate on the Board of Appeals; the motion was seconded and approved. The board later filled a vacancy on the Cemetery Committee by appointing Tom Detroit to serve the remainder of Richard Wenzel’s term, which staff said runs through 2030.

On contracts, the board authorized the town administrator to sign a 10‑month extension with Pine Tree Waste. The town administrator told the board staff had previously received verbal approval to proceed and sought formal signature authorization; the board moved, seconded and approved the authorization.

The board also debated when the transfer station should operate on holidays that fall on regular service days. After discussion about staff scheduling and holiday pay, the board resolved that beginning in the new fiscal year the transfer station will be closed on holidays and the town will not provide a replacement open day except in emergency circumstances. The board allowed the transfer station to operate for this year’s Juneteenth due to a prior miscommunication, and asked staff to publish an annual closure calendar so residents know closure dates in advance. “The transfer station is closed on a holiday,” a board member said while explaining the adopted approach.

Procedural items at the meeting included a state‑association ballot and nominations (the board tabled further action on executive‑committee nominations to let the Maine Municipal Association carry its slate). Staff also reminded the public of upcoming town events, including hazardous‑waste and shredding day scheduled for July 18.

What’s next: staff will publish the transfer‑station holiday calendar and proceed with the Pine Tree Waste contract signature. The appointments were recorded and will be reflected in committee rosters and town records.