Town weighs closing transfer station, negotiating franchise for residential trash

Staff told council the transfer station is duplicative of county services and currently subsidizes debt service; they recommended planning for closure and said they're negotiating with a potential franchisee. "We still own a transfer station that we don't need," a manager said, adding that closing it would save subsidies and reduce capital exposure.

Council members urged caution and asked staff to resolve operational pivots such as where yard waste and brush would go, how community contractors would be treated, and whether the town should continue residential collection or contract it out. Staff said the franchisee suggested limited use of the transfer station and that disposal and brush grinding contracts could be renegotiated.

Council did not make a final decision but asked staff to continue negotiations, evaluate cost comparisons with county disposal, and prepare options that would preserve service continuity for residents.