NEW GLOUCESTER – Selectmen on Monday agreed that the town’s Transfer Station operation needs a plan to manage growing needs in light of mounting volumes of trash, demolition and recycled items.

Transfer Station Supervisor Jeff Pratt told selectmen that trash is stacking up and often can’t be handled effectively on Saturdays.

“We stack it up on the floor on Saturday and on Monday put it into a trailer and get it transferred on Tuesday. It’s out of control,” said Pratt. “We are overrun with trash, especially in the summer, and need expansions and upgrades.”

In 1995, the Bald Hill Transfer Station handled 900 tons of solid waste. By last year, that had increased to roughly 1,500 tons of trash. Demolition has increased from 30 tons in 1995 to 106 tons last year.

Pratt said an additional trash compactor and roll-off containers are needed.

Public Works Director Willard Waterman and Pratt said the needed equipment ranges from $40,000 to $70,000.

More than $70,000 is in a general ledger account for this type of purchase. But, instead of approving the purchase, selectmen said the solid waste operation needs further study on grant availability, increasing the days of operation and future requirements for trash management.

We had warning signs’

In the next 16 months, for example, a universal waste management system will be required to deal with disposing of computers, light bulbs and thermostats.

And the markets for selling newspaper, plastics and cardboard may yield further cash benefit to the town. For example, Pratt said cardboard generates $95 per ton or $5,700 annually for New Gloucester. Plastic sells for $420 per ton and newspaper fetches $110 per ton or $13,500 annually.

“This is not a surprise … the town is changing rapidly,” said Selectman Steve Chandler. “We’re at a point and we had warning signs.”

Several years ago voters turned down an ordinance to charge impact fees to all new development. With the help of a consultant, Town Manager Rosemary Kulow, Waterman and Pratt will work on a long-range proposal.

In other business, selectmen presented a proclamation to Rescue Chief Mary Rich noting marking May 16 to 23 as Emergency Medical Services Week in New Gloucester. An open house from 9 a.m. to noon on May 22 will be held at the Lower Gloucester Fire Station. Local rescue workers have been outfitted with new protective gear uniforms from a grant through the Department of Homeland Security.

Finally, selectmen are in the final stages of fine-tuning a local ordinance governing cable television in New Gloucester. Once approved, the document would guide negotiations for future franchise agreements. The town currently contracts with Time Warner Cable of Maine.