BUCKFIELD — Selectmen from Buckfield and Sumner voted Tuesday night to investigate using single-stream recycling at the towns’ jointly owned waste station on Route 140 in Buckfield.

The selectmen, who make up the Solid Waste Committee, also voted to invite single-stream recycling companies to meet with them. 

The recycling method involves materials being automatically sorted at specially-equipped plants, instead of sorting materials by type at waste stations or other facilities.

Interim Town Manager Dana Lee told the committee the waste transfer station is doing well and is below budget.

Nick DiMaio of the Buckfield Budget Committee said single-stream recycling would alleviate a lot of trash going into the compactor, would be easier to use and may save tipping fees paid to Mid-Maine Waste Action Corp. in Auburn as more towns switch to the single-stream method.

Sumner Selectman Mary Ann Haxton suggested the committee check out other towns that use single-stream recycling to find out how much they are saving. She also suggested having single-stream recycling companies talk to the committee.

Sumner Selectman Danny Perron suggested the back part of the station be tarred and do nothing to the rest of the area until they find out what would need to be done to make the area suitable for single-stream recycling.

The committee also voted to install a motion sensor at the Swap Shop to deter vandalism. The shop was burglarized recently.

The committee also decided to put the 1985 waste compactor truck out to bid. If no bids are received, Lee has authority to try to get something for the metal in the truck.

BUCKFIELD — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday night accepted the Fire Department’s guidelines for junior firefighters. They include:

* Being at least 16 years of age.

* Following mandatory guidelines set by the Fire Department, with violators either put on temporary suspension or immediately terminated, at the chief’s discretion.

* Performing nonhazardous duties at the fire station, riding in cab of fire apparatus responding to an emergency scene, and attending training sessions.

* Not performing any hazardous duties at the fire station, not riding outside the cab, and not performing any hazardous work at the scene of an accident or fires.

The board also approved a town website policy. It states the website is intended to provide a means to share information relative to government offices and functions, community calendar, town committees, local churches, social services, Zadoc Long Free Library and businesses. These will be lists only and no advocacy is allowed for business, politics and religion. No derogatory or inflammatory content is allowed.

In another matter, selectmen approved an undesignated fund balance of $459,706.49 to operate the town for 60 days in case of emergency.

Junior high school teacher Gretchen Kimball and two students spoke to the board about the kiosk the students built on the railroad bed recreation trail.

Alexis Bennett said they are putting distance markers on the trail, making a nature trail and a trail to the village. Laney Randolph said they are making better markers and simulating the Appalachian Trail.

The board asked that one third of the kiosk be reserved for town businesses, club information and town information.

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