Strong residents are allowed to get rid of bulky waste at Farmington’s station.
FARMINGTON – Strong officials asked the town to accept $7,338.48, or half of the $14,676.96 owed for four years of bulky waste and recycling handling.
Farmington didn’t bill the town of Strong for several years, and it recently came to the town manager’s attention.
In addition to the $7,338.48, which is contingent on voter approval in March, Strong also planned to pay its 2003 expenses of $4,028 in its next warrant.
Farmington and Strong entered into an agreement that allowed residents of Strong to use Farmington’s Transfer Station to dispose of bulky waste such as building debris and recyclables.
Strong residents also pay individual fees to get rid of bulky waste at Farmington’s station, as do the residents of Farmington.
Farmington sent bills to Strong for the periods of April 1, 1997, to March 31, 1998, and Feb. 1, 2002, to Jan. 31, 2003. Strong paid those bills.
Farmington neglected to send bills to Strong for four years from April 1, 1998, through Jan. 31, 2002.
Town Manager Richard Davis sent Strong selectmen a letter in November informing them that the bulky waste and recycling handling agreement had expired Jan. 31 and was not properly renewed. Davis also noted that Farmington had not billed Strong for services provided under the agreement.
Since Farmington has continuously provided the services, Davis wrote that he was obligated to bill Strong for the same.
Davis did state that he regretted the mutual oversight on the part of “both our towns.”
Davis informed Farmington selectmen of the Strong selectmen’s proposal Tuesday. Davis said he had asked the town attorney to handle the matter.
Strong selectmen’s Chairman Perry Ellsworth stated in a reply to Davis’ letter that as is the practice of most municipalities, the treasurer can only pay bills as they are invoiced to the town of Strong.
“We would ask that you accept half of the four payments, which were missed because of no invoicing,” Ellsworth wrote.
Ellsworth said Strong’s board asked Farmington selectmen to consider half of the payments because it is both of the towns’ responsibility.
“It’s a sad situation,” Ellsworth said. “These are not the best of times to catch up on bills.”
Strong is looking at a $100,000 loss in taxes this year because of the closing of Forster Inc. and Cousineau’s Inc. moving the bulk of its operation out of Strong, Ellsworth said.
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