The Jay Board of Selectmen is asking voters to approve additional funding for curbside trash pickup after the lowest bidder withdrew from the 2026-27 contract due to staffing limitations.

The Select Board was forced to turn to a higher bid, increasing costs and requiring a second town vote to avoid a lapse in curbside collection.

Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere said Riverside Disposal submitted the lowest bid at $210,000 and withdrew it after the town meeting warrant was signed.

“Riverside Disposal has notified us that they are withdrawing their bid largely due to manpower constraints,” LaFreniere said.

The town turned to Somerset Disposal, the second-lowest bidder, which agreed to provide service for $226,500.

That price exceeds the $200,000 approved for trash pickup and the additional $10,000 proposed for recycling at the April 28 town meeting, leaving a gap of $16,500.

Voters will be asked to approve the additional funds needed to secure the contract at a special town meeting at 6 p.m. May 11 at the Town Office.

LaFreniere said the accelerated vote is necessary to ensure service is in place by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

If either the original funding articles or the additional appropriation fails, LaFreniere said curbside pickup will not be available.

Under the proposed Somerset Disposal contract, residents would see a change in service frequency, with weekly trash collection and recycling pickup every other week. Currently, both are collected weekly.

Pickup schedules and routes have not yet been finalized.

LaFreniere said she has not heard concerns about long-term cost increases or service stability related to the new contract.

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