WILTON — On the Recycling Committee’s recommendation, selectmen agreed Tuesday to go forward with single-stream recycling later this year.

The budget for the Transfer Station is being developed with single-stream recycling in mind, Town Manager Rhonda Irish said. It’s a move that may save a little on the transfer station budget and make recycling easier for residents.

With a 4-0 vote, with Chairman Terry Brann abstaining, the board agreed but wanted an explanation of the intent to move to single-stream recycling added to the transfer station’s budget on the warrant for June’s annual town meeting.

“I want people to know this is what we’re going toward,” Selectman Tom Saviello told the board.

After studying options for more than a year, the committee found there’s not a huge savings going to single-stream recycling but some, Irish said.

Committee members agreed there was another reason to consider the change this year, namely convenience. Making it easier to throw items away has the potential for more recycling.

“I believe there will be a huge increase in the amount that is going to be recycled,” Cheryl Brann, committee member said.

The committee considered three options for single-stream recycling, including companies based in Lewiston, Portland and Norridgewock.

They recommended pursuing a contract with Pine Tree Waste/Casella from Lewiston, which offered a proposal of no costs for the town other than transportation for the foreseeable future, Irish said.

While still working on the budget, it appears to be less than last year, which included funds for capital improvements at the transfer station and a potential change to single-stream recycling. Part of that $19,000 was spent on an aging container at the transfer station, leaving $11,000 in the budget. A compactor would need to be purchased at an estimated cost of $16,000 to $18,000, she said.

The town budget would also include a final payment to Sandy River Recycling Association for this year.

Membership in Sandy River has been a good deal for communities in the region, Irish said. Unlike some communities outside Franklin County, however, the town has always paid and never been reimbursed any amount beyond expenses when have been recyclables sold.

abryant@sunjournal.com