CLAREMONT — The City Council last week took another step toward privatizing operation of the city’s transfer station and recycling center, with the approval of proposal to seek out a company to take over management of the facility.
The council also asked John MacLean, interim city manager, to research the cost of permanently shuttering the facility down and the cost to residents who would have to take garbage and recyclables to the Casella transfer station in Newport.
The six-page request-for-proposal to operate the Claremont facility states the chosen contractor would be responsible for overall maintenance and upkeep of the transfer station, pay taxes on the leased portion of the property (about 3 acres) and meet other conditions.
MacLean said he expects it will take about six weeks to receive responses.
For years, the city’s transfer station has had an annual operating deficit, recently in excess of $100,000, which is covered by taxes. Several councilors want to end the subsidies.
Assistant Mayor Deborah Matteau said if the city continues to operate the facility, only users should bear the cost of operational expenses.
“The rest of the taxpayers should not be burdened with those costs,” Matteau said.
MacLean said requesting proposals for private operators does not eliminate other options the city wants to consider, including shutting down.
The city is required by law to have trash removal services available for residents, but that requirement can be fulfilled by private haulers who provide curbside pickup service, and city residents have multiple options.
Councilor Nick Koloski said he was concerned the city was being overly restrictive in terms of what the contractor will be required to do and worried it could limit the number of respondents.
MacLean said the city needed to be detailed in regards to it requirements.
“We are just asking, would you like to operate it and what would it cost,” MacLean said.
Resident Mike Tetu opposed the push for privatization, characterizing it as a bad idea.
“I don’t see a benefit to the users,” said Tetu, who has served on a committee that studied the transfer station operation. “I would like to see us save it.”
Tetu said he agrees with Matteau that there should be no taxpayer subsidy and the way to accomplish that is by charging 15 cents a pound for disposal instead of a per bag fee.
Currently, residents are charged $3 for a 30 gallon trash bag and $2 for a 13 gallon.
“I’ll put up the weigh station and we can start eliminating that deficit,” Tetu said. “There are all kinds of ways to save money up there.”
The council did not respond to Tetu’s offer and voted 7-1 to approve the RFP.
In other business, the council approved eliminating the residency requirement for the city manager that is now part of the city charter. The change will now go to voters.
While the council still hopes the next city manager will choose to live within city limits, there is a feeling it could limit the number of applicants.
“We are hampered by this clause,” Assistant Mayor Matteau said. “I’m more concerned with finding someone to move us forward. Hopefully they will want to live here but maybe they won’t.”
Police Chief Mark Chase, who also serves as city manager in MacLean’s absence, said while residency requirements have not been challenged, legal opinions have said it is unconstitutional.
“Everyone has the right to live where they want,” Chase.
MacLean also announced at Wednesday’s council meeting that Parks and Recreation Director Mark Brislin, who has served the city since December 2013 has resigned and will be leaving Claremont the first week of May.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.
