NEWRY - Newry has a new solid waste hauling agreement after selectmen decided to go with low bidders at Monday night's board meeting, rather than stay with one hauler.

Newry has partnered with Bethel and Hanover for waste removal via the Tri-Town Solid Waste transfer station in Bethel since 2000.

"We save about $58,000 by going with low bidders," Selectman Steve Wight said of the total cost of $299,652 to all three towns. That figure doesn't include revenues and rebates.

Bethel selectmen also discussed the bids on Monday night, but tabled a decision to their May 5 meeting, Town Manager Scott Cole said by phone on Wednesday afternoon.

"It was put out to bid in February and now we're analyzing the proposals before making longer-term decisions," Cole said.

Hanover selectmen will discuss the bids at their meeting on Tuesday, April 22.

Newry Administrator Loretta Powers said the contractors and approved bids are:

• Archies Inc. of Mexico - $170,000 for curbside municipal solid waste pickup;

• Archies - $75,000 for taking trash from the transfer station to a landfill;

• Pine Tree Waste of Scarborough - $56,373 for construction debris and oversized bulky waste; $2,040 for shingles; and $2,760 for tires. Previously, Pine Tree was doing all hauling;

• Grimmel's of Lewiston - $16,521 for metals, which is reimbursed from sale of the material.

Bids were submitted by eight companies.