Working group outlines compactors, pad extension and safety features at Shapleigh transfer station

The transfer-station working group in Shapleigh detailed plans to rebuild the upper portion of the site with compactor units and a longer concrete pad designed to accept an eventual fourth compactor. The chair said the existing pad (about 15 feet) will be extended roughly 30 feet to create a 49-foot rectangular pad and that steel plates will be set into the pad so compactor rollers won’t damage the concrete.

On design specifics, the chair noted the fabrication along the fence will meet safety standards: "the fabrication of the metal is going to come up 42 inches OSHA requirement, 42 inches." Staff clarified each compactor will have its own chute and container, with doors that must be closed for the compressor to run. Participants agreed the pad will be built to accommodate a fourth compactor later; the tracks and structural iron will be included in the initial work even if electrical service for the fourth unit is not installed immediately.

Group members debated the best arrangement for lanes and openings to preserve throughput while meeting safety rules. Staff corrected a prior measurement and said the opening will be about 68 inches (roughly 5 feet 8 inches), allowing two people to deposit material at once. The chair emphasized the project is meant to be scalable: if recycling and household use continue to grow, the town can add capacity by plugging in another compactor.

The working group targeted completion before winter weather, with the chair saying, "I'm hoping sometime in October we got this completed." No formal vote on construction was recorded in the transcript; this session functioned as an informational and planning meeting.