Resiidents keep distance between them at the Southwick Transfer Station, which remains open to town residents with some restrictions. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
SOUTHWICK – Residents will see an increase in transfer station sticker fees when they renew them at the end of July.
Normally, the stickers expire on the last day of June, but because of COVID-19, the Southwick Select Board approved extending the current sticker use by one month. This week, board members approved keeping intact the three-year plan started last year to increase the cost of transfer station stickers.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart reminded everyone during the remote meeting May 5 that the three-year increase plan helps cover increased costs for the town to dispose of its trash and recycling.
Selectman Douglas Moglin said both recycling and tipping fees for the town have risen and the sticker fees subsidize those costs, but do not cover them.
During the discussion Tuesday, Moglin asked Public Works Director Randy Brown to “keep a closer eye” on who is using the station. Moglin said he has seen more commercial vehicles and vehicles from out of state using the station.
Brown said there are residents who have transfer station stickers who use their commercial vehicle for personal use.
“We also have some people who live in Southwick and have a company car registered out of town,” Brown said, specifically citing Connecticut registration plates.
Brown said that while there are legal users with such vehicles, he would look at who was using the station.
The current sticker fee is $110 per year for residents 59 years and younger, with a $55 fee for residents age 60 and older.
