PARIS – A brief public hearing Tuesday night addressed comments on amendments to the proposed Norway-Paris Solid Waste agreement with the two towns.

An ad hoc committee of members from the Norway and Paris selectmen, as well as representatives from the Solid Waste Board, was formed last year to address the agreement, which was adopted in 2003. The changes include expanding the Board from five to seven members, eliminating alternate members, hiring a manager to oversee day-to-day operations and hire employees, and having meetings once a month rather than a minimum of twice yearly.

Chris Shorey, owner of Main Street Furniture in Norway, asked if the changes addressed a point of contention over fees on solid waste generated outside Norway and Paris. Shorey had previously protested a vote by the Solid Waste Board to raise a disposal fee from $7 to $25 for any item disposed of at the Norway Transfer Station that was not generated from either town.

Town Manager Sharon Jackson of Paris said one addition to the agreement requires that fee changes be agreed upon by the majority of both boards of selectmen.

Janet Jamison, a member of the ad hoc committee, said the proposed fee hike did not go into effect. She said one reason for the creation of the committee and the amendments was to make the Solid Waste Board more accountable to the towns.

The amendments will go to a vote at the annual town meetings, and must pass in both Norway and Paris to go into effect.