PARIS – A Norway-Paris Solid Waste Inc. Board of Directors meeting turned into a public comment session Monday when only two of the five regular board members showed.
A majority of a board’s members is required to make up a quorum, or a voting body. Because there was no quorum, said President Eric Grondahl, the meeting could not even be called to order.
“(This has) never happened while I was on the board,” he told the nine people sitting in the audience at the Paris town office.
Ray Garnett was the only other board member present.
It was decided that solid waste General Manager Alison McCrady would give a report, and the public would be allowed to ask questions or make comments.
McCrady said recycling rules will be strictly enforced at the Brown Street transfer station starting May 1. Residents will then be charged $5 for dropping dark-colored bags or recyclables into the trash hopper.
McCrady also said new Department of Environmental Protection standards for the Frost Hill Landfill accounts for an $11,000 hike in the solid waste budget.
While discussing the landfill, it was pointed out that some residents have complained that it is closed Sunday.
Grondahl said the board could take a telephone poll of members and possibly change the hours without meeting.
A reporter from the Advertiser Democrat and Paris Selectman Bruce Hanson pointed out that such a poll would be a violation of the Maine Freedom of Access law.
It was decided that the solid waste board will call a special meeting shortly.
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