SOUTHWICK – DPW Director Randy Brown discussed potential transfer station rate changes for Fiscal Year 2020 with the Select Board on Tuesday night.
Currently, a sticker for the transfer station is an annual fee of $100 or $50 for senior citizens. Brown added that there are one-day passes and recycling only passes as other options.
DPW Director Randy Brown. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
According to Brown, revenue for recyclable materials is decreasing due to China’s import ban on certain recyclables that was placed into effect in January 2018. This change is causing local charges for recyclables to increase for the fiscal year of 2020.
“That will be a big impact,” said Brown.
As a result, the Select Board decided to make an increase in the fees for the 2020 transfer station by 10%.
Brown added that the rate could continue to increase each coming fiscal year but that decision is up to the Select Board.
“We know there’s going to be an impact,” said Brown.
Brown noted that recyclables make up for anywhere from 20 to 30% of what goes into the transfer station in Southwick.
The Westfield News reported on March 29 that Brown attended a seminar earlier that month that was hosted by the Massachusetts DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) and the Springfield MRF (Materials Recycling Facility), Southwick is one of 70 communities in the region that brings paper and plastic recyclables to the Springfield facility.
At the seminar, Brown learned that Southwick’s current contract with Springfield MRF is set to expire in June 2020. Because of that, the Springfield MRF Advisory Committee has already put out an RFP (Request for Proposal) to solicit pricing and details in order to create a new contract, with the RFP due on May 9.
When speaking with the Select Board, Brown pointed out that Southwick currently gets revenue of $6 per ton of materials, but by FY 20, the rate of revenue for the town will drop to $4 per ton.
