OTISFIELD – This community again exceeded the state goal of a 50 percent recycling rate, the selectmen were told during their meeting Wednesday night.

Selectmen reviewed municipal solid waste information from the state for 2003. Otisfield’s adjusted recycling rate is 60.14 percent, which is determined by taking the base rate of 51.14 percent and adding a 5 percent credit for returned bottles and a 4 percent credit for compost.

Selectman Lenny Adler asked that the Oxford County Regional Solid Waste Corp. include the costs of recycling when it sends reports on how much money it makes by selling recyclables and how much it saves by eliminating recyclables from the waste stream.

Adler said he would like to know the trucking and staff costs in addition to the information provided.

The community’s recycling rate has increased in three of the past four years. In 2000 the rate was 47 percent; it climbed to 59 percent in 2001, then decreased to 44 percent in 2002.

In other business, the selectmen reviewed the list of students recently awarded scholarships by the scholarship committee. The committee had $5,500 to award. Fifteen students applied for scholarships, nine already in college and six entering college this fall.

Scholarships were awarded to: Robbie McVety, $300, University of Maine, Orono; Coey Tiellinen, $300, Northeastern University; Stephanie McCoy, $400, University of Maine, Orono; Kabe Micklon, $500, University of Maine, Orono; Heather Nurmi, $500, Southern New Hampshire University; and Hillary Nurmi, $500, University of Maine, Orono

Also: Chris Allen, $400, University of Maine, Orono; Mandi Ayotte, $300, CMMC; Kyle Herrick, $300, University of Maine, Farmington; Amy Howard, $350, Skidmore College; Catherine Howard, $350 Lesley College; Hannah Sturdivant, $350, Worcester State College; Hillary Sturdivant, $350, University of Maine, Orono; and Chantal Knight, $300, Mount Holyoke College.

The selectmen also approved a request from the scholarship committee to include a donation request in tax bills.