HARRISON — Two major objections to the town’s affiliation with waste recycler ecomaine were raised by selectmen Tuesday night, despite assurances from representatives of the regional waste facility that things will improve over time.

“One of the questions we have is why new communities that join pay less than the member communities,” Selectman Lisa Villa said, stating an objection she and the town’s other selectmen have voiced for some time.

The second objection was over the fact that the contract signed by the town continues indefinitely.

“There’s no feasible way to renegotiate the contract,” Selectman Bill Goodwin said. “To me and a lot of people, it’s not a benefit to pay more than some of the other towns, and there’s no way to get out of this. It’s a lose-lose proposition for a member town.”

Ecomaine representatives did not respond to the question about the town being locked into the contract. At the last annual town meeting, residents voted to proceed with an attempt to withdraw from ecomaine.

Ecomaine General Manager Kevin Roche said the nonprofit has a five-year plan to pay off its debt and continues to be conservative in estimating profits because of the continued lag in the economy. He said the current debt should be paid off in 2014, but added that the company may have to borrow more money in the future.

“We can’t run this operation without debt,” he said. “It’s a good tool for investment, and we’re going to have to make improvements. We would be fooling ourselves if we said we’re never going to borrow again.”

“Our five-year plan was created using a worst-case scenario,” Roche said. In reference to the associate members paying less than the member communities, he said that if the current trends continue, that may change in favor of the member communities in the future.

“I think, eventually, you will have the upper hand,” he said.

Selectman Eddie Rolfe asked about the salaries paid to employees. Roche said the company’s records are public and offered to provide any information the selectmen requested. He added that it’s important to pay market wages to get good employees.

Sharon Wilson, a Town Office employee, suggested the evening’s discussion was a waste of time because there is no way the town can get out of the contract.

“If we have a lifetime contract, why are we even taking about this?” she asked. “We’re getting screwed. Shame on us for getting into a lifetime contract.”

New Town Manager Bud Finch said a committee had been formed to work on a number of issues related to the town’s trash disposal, including the contract with ecomaine.