NORWAY — The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted Thursday to table the appointment of three new members to the Norway-Paris Solid Waste Committee.

“Our idea is to start out with a fresh slate,” said Selectmen Russ Newcomb of the decision to bring in all new appointees to the board. Newcomb said that once the board “gets going” it is possible the selectmen may decide to bring in former members if needed to fill the ranks.

Earlier this year, all seven members of the Norway-Paris Solid Waste Board of Directors were removed by a unanimous vote of selectmen in both towns after the solid waste committee came under scrutiny for issues, including voting to increase the disposal fee for items left at the transfer station that did not come from Norway or Paris from $7 an item to $25. Selectmen in both towns also agreed that the directors adopted bylaws that were inconsistent with the interlocal agreement adopted by Paris and Norway.

Selectmen from both towns also unanimously approved a resolution at that time to establish a temporary method of running the NPSW board until new appointments are made.

Since then, Norway Town Manager David Holt and Paris Town Manager Phil Tarr have been overseeing the solid waste operation.

On Thursday, the Norway Board of Selectmen received applications from six residents with varied backgrounds. The applicants are: Scott Westbury, a chef; former Selectman Bruce Cook, who is retired; Carol Roth; Henry Male Jr., retired; Eric Grondahl, an engineer; and Dundee Pratt, a trash hauler. Selectmen will appoint two for one year; one for two years and one for three years.

While selectman this year, Cook said he believed it would be a tough transition for any new board to oversee the solid waste operation if the members are all new. He suggested that the two town managers stay on board for at least several months after the new appointments to ensure a smooth transition.

Cook previously sat on the Norway-Paris Solid Waste Committee,

Holt told selectmen Thursday that they should reinforce to the applicants that whomever is appointed must adhere to the new solid-waste ordinance enacted by both Paris and Norway voters.

The applicants are expected to meet with the Board of Selectmen just prior to the board’s July 1 meeting at 7 p.m.

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