RANGELEY – Rangeley selectmen have rejected a solid waste contract with Franklin County commissioners for several unorganized territories.
As of July 1, the town of Rangeley won’t allow them to bring any waste to the Rangeley Transfer Station, according to a letter dated April 20 that Town Manager Perry Ellsworth sent to commissioners. On Thursday, Ellsworth said that the selectmen unanimously voted April 19 not to sign the solid waste interlocal cooperation agreement for the amount of $10,000, as commissioners proposed.
The town had requested $17,129 from the commissioners to provide transfer station services to people in the townships of Davis, Stetson, Seven Ponds, Letter D, Letter E, Redington and part of Lang.
Commissioners only agreed to budget $10,000 for the services.
Franklin County Clerk Julie Magoon informed Franklin County commissioners on Tuesday of the Rangeley selectmen’s decision on the proposed fiscal 2005-06 agreement. The current agreement is good through June 30.
According to information provided by Ellsworth, there is a year-round and seasonal population in the townships mentioned of about 151.
The year-round population is about 41 residents, with 17 year-round homes.
There are 246 total housing units, with about 229 considered seasonal homes. The seasonal population is estimated at 110.
County Commissioner Gary McGrane said Thursday during the meeting that a lot of the seasonal residents either burn their trash in wood stoves or take the trash out with them.
McGrane suggested Rangeley charge a fee to those in the townships wanting to use Rangeley’s transfer station’s services.
The county does have agreements with other towns to provide solid waste services to other townships in the county.
Rangeley is the second town to recently reject a contract to provide services to townships.
Kingfield selectmen rejected signing a contract to be primary first responder for fire protection for parts of Freeman Township. The selectmen were not pleased that county commissioners reduced the amount of stipend Kingfield would receive for that service from $5,500 to $1,500 in fiscal year 2005-06 without consulting them.
Commissioners made the decision after the budget talks were over because they now have an organized fire department in Salem Township. Kingfield received the $5,500 when it provided primary first responder structural fire coverage to both Salem and a portion of Freeman Township.
Rangeley selectmen did approve the structural fire protection interlocal cooperation agreement for fiscal 2005-06. The cost for those services is $8,703, which both parties agreed upon.
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