LIVERMORE FALLS — Town Manager Jim Chaousis will gather more information before selectmen make a decision on charging private haulers tipping fees for the trash they pick up from residents and take to Jay.

A vote to table the issue to let the town manager bring back more information passed 3-2, with Selectmen Bill Demaray and Barker opposed; and Louise Chabot, Jackie Knight and Jim Collins in favor.

The board debated the committee’s recommendation to charge haulers tipping fees in addition to a permit fee to do business in town.

Chaousis had asked the board Monday to table the issue until he could get more information so the board could be better informed.

Demaray said he saw no reason to table it since he was not going to change his mind about charging haulers. Residents who hire haulers also pay taxes to support the transfer station but choose to pay for a service to have it picked up, he said.

Resident Val Nichols said he agreed with Demaray. Nichols also questioned the reduced hours at the transfer station since attendant Fred Nadeau is out on medical leave.

“A couple of months ago we said leave the dump alone,” Nichols said.

Residents voted in September to keep the transfer station rather than close it and take their trash and recyclables to Jay.

Nichols also asked if anyone else would be hired to open the transfer station to resume regular hours while Nadeau is out on medical leave. Nadeau had a heart attack and heart surgery just before Christmas.

While Nadeau is out, the transfer station is open three days a week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, instead of 4½ days.
Town Manager Jim Chaousis said only so much money was budgeted to cover vacation and possible sick days for the attendant but not enough for an extended, emergency medical leave. He did report that Nadeau’s wife, Betty, said her husband is off the ventilator and improving.

Resident Ron Chadwick, a member of the Budget Committee, also asked about people who have private trash pickup and don’t recycle. The majority of the waste is from private haulers, he said. There is no control over that especially with businesses using Dumpsters, he said. Why should taxpayers subsidize them?, he asked.

“Why should people who don’t use the dump, subsidize the dump?” Demaray said.

It is your luxury to have someone pick up your trash, Chadwick said.

Demaray said when he goes to the dump, he finds stuff in the bin that is not recycled. He said he doesn’t believe people who pay taxes and choose not to go to the dump should be penalized.

Chaousis said enforcement of recycling has been stepped up at the transfer station. If someone sees a lack in recycling, it may be reported to him or the code enforcement officer, and it can be taken care of, he said. The town has an ordinance to enforce recycling, he said.

“I have a hauler and I recycle,” Chabot said. “I just don’t think you can blanketly say people who have haulers don’t recycle.”

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