The Waterville Valley Municipal Solid Waste Committee convened on Tuesday, September 22, to review progress on waste management initiatives, discuss operational changes to the transfer station, and consider proposed updates to town ordinances. Key topics included private hauling options for condominium associations, the reintroduction of single-stream recycling, transfer station design and temporary operations, revised operating hours, and the placard system.
The meeting began with the approval of minutes from the previous session on September 8. (link)
Update on Private Hauling and Enclosure Compliance
A representative from Valley Run Property Services reported that condominium associations are currently deliberating whether to adopt private dumpster service. Most associations have meetings scheduled in the coming weeks to discuss the option with property owners. A frequently asked question concerns dumpster enclosure requirements — specifically, whether existing enclosures must be modified or upgraded to meet screening standards. (link)
The Committee reiterated that Town Ordinance 21, which mandates that all four sides of waste enclosures be fully enclosed, remains in effect — a requirement reflecting strong voter sentiment expressed at a previous Town Meeting. (link) Associations considering private dumpsters must factor in potential enclosure modification costs to ensure compliance.
A critical clarification was made regarding the town’s municipal solid waste fee: the $60 per quarter ($240 annually) fee will continue to apply to all residences, regardless of whether an association opts for private hauling. This fee funds the operation of the transfer station, which the town is required by state law to maintain. Associations that choose private hauling will incur an additional cost from their hauler on top of the town’s transfer station fee. (link)
A representative from Tri-Pyramid Condominiums raised a question about procedures for modifying a dumpster enclosure situated on a property line adjacent to the golf course. The Committee clarified that if the enclosure is constructed as a fence, it may generally be built up to the property line. If it incorporates a roof and qualifies as a structure, zoning setbacks would apply. Associations were advised to consult with a land use attorney before making any changes, and it was noted that pre-existing non-conforming structures are generally protected provided they are not substantially altered. (link)
Single-Stream Recycling and Waste Hauling Estimates
The Committee discussed the reintroduction of single-stream recycling, a goal supported by 78 of 130 respondents in a 2022 Town Meeting survey who expressed strong support for bringing back recycling. Waterville Valley previously had single-stream recycling but discontinued it due to persistent contamination problems at remote collection sites. The expectation is that a centrally located, monitored facility will significantly reduce those contamination issues. (link)
Estimates for municipal solid waste (MSW) hauling and disposal were presented from Casella and Waste Management. For MSW hauling, Casella quoted $365 per haul, while Waste Management quoted $390 per haul. For MSW disposal tipping fees, Waste Management came in at $102 per ton and Casella at $115 per ton. Staff noted that while single-stream recycling disposal costs more per ton, the strong voter mandate supports pursuing it. The Committee noted that pricing clarification is still needed from both vendors on certain line items. (link)
Staff advised a phased approach: focus first on getting the compactor system operational, then add single-stream recycling, with source separation as a longer-term goal. The Committee emphasized that recycling containers must be covered to prevent contamination from the elements, and that single-stream recycling is seen as a stepping stone toward eventual source separation. (link)
Transfer Station Design and Temporary Operations
An update was provided on transfer station engineering. An engineering proposal was received at $47,000 plus expenses following a Request for Information (RFI) process. The town has since asked the firm to remove the conceptual alternatives portion of the scope — since a preferred alternative was already selected — with the goal of reducing the total below $40,000. A response had not yet been received at the time of the meeting. (link)
Discussion also covered a temporary operations plan for the transfer station. The approach involves renting a compactor for under $6,000 and making modest modifications to the existing shed and swap shop area — keeping the shed in the same footprint while repositioning the operator station and swap shop to accommodate the compactor. If temporary operations run smoothly, more extensive construction may not be necessary, potentially eliminating the need for a new concrete pad and other costly modifications. A town meeting vote would be required to appropriate construction funds if further work is needed. The goal is to have the compactor operational by December 1st. (link)
An electrician confirmed that the existing electrical service in the transfer station shed is sufficient to run a smaller-horsepower compactor, avoiding the need for new trenching or a three-phase electrical hookup from the street at this stage. Some minor exterior electrical work may still be required. (link)
Transfer Station Hours and Placard System
The Committee discussed the implementation of new transfer station hours previously accepted by the Select Board: Sunday 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday 8 a.m.–4 p.m., and Thursday 7 a.m.–3 p.m. A member of the public representing a local real estate firm raised concerns that the Sunday closing time of 4 p.m. may be unrealistic for seasonal renters, whose children’s ski programs typically end around 3 p.m., leaving families little time to reach the transfer station before it closes. An extension to 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Sundays was suggested. (link)
After discussion — including data showing that Sunday usage peaks between 9 and 11 a.m. and again in the late afternoon — the Committee agreed to recommend adjusting Sunday hours to 9 a.m.–5 p.m. to the Select Board. Monday hours (8 a.m.–4 p.m.) and Thursday hours (7 a.m.–3 p.m.) would remain unchanged, creating a descending schedule of 9–8–7 for opening times. The new hours are set to take effect Sunday, October 4th, with staff updating signage and public notices accordingly. (link)
The Select Board had previously asked the Committee for guidance on handling residents who arrive at the transfer station without a placard. The Committee discussed several options, including a day pass system at a suggested fee of $5, with payment to be collected using an existing point-of-sale system already in use by the Recreation Department — avoiding the current cash-and-check-only limitation. Staff noted the need for a clear, consistent procedure to ensure fair enforcement while minimizing confrontations. (link)
The real estate representative also raised the issue of seasonal renters whose property owners have already departed for the season and cannot physically retrieve placards. The Committee confirmed that a yellow temporary placard system already exists and can be used for these cases, with an expiration date stamped on each placard. The Committee expressed willingness to work with property managers to distribute temporary placards to verified renters, with appropriate record-keeping requirements.
Ordinance 20 Updates
The Committee reviewed proposed redline edits from Town Counsel to Ordinance 20, which governs municipal solid waste. Key proposed changes discussed included:
- Replacing the overly broad phrase “commercially generated waste” under Section 1 with the more precise language: “waste generated at commercial establishments that do not have residential owners,” allowing mixed-use properties with residential owners to continue using the transfer station. (link)
- Specifying under Section 2 that only MSW and Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste generated at residential properties may be deposited at the transfer station — clarifying, for example, that a contractor performing a bathroom renovation at a private residence may bring C&D waste, while a commercial property such as a hotel undertaking a large renovation may not. (link)
- Refining Section 4 to define eligible users as residents of the town, owners of residential property in the town, and guests of residential property owners — striking broader or more ambiguous categories. (link)
- Correcting references throughout the document from “Board of Selectmen” to “Select Board.” (link)
Trash System Timeline and Vendor Input
The Committee reviewed the overall implementation timeline for the new trash system. A public hearing is scheduled for October 14th at 6 p.m. in the multipurpose room at the Recreation Department. The goal is to sign a contract with an outside hauler in October or November, with the Department of Public Works beginning to collect existing dumpsters and rearrange the transfer station in November. The compactor is expected to be in place by December 1st and new waste collection services are projected to begin December 2nd. A town-wide vote on these decisions is anticipated in March 2027. (link)
A representative from Waste Management, present at the meeting, confirmed that the quoted monthly grand total for services to Tri-Pyramid is all-inclusive. He also clarified that there is no additional charge for bear-proof dumpsters, as their standard dumpsters are built to be as bear-resistant as possible. On the question of enclosure access, the representative confirmed that drivers prefer enclosure doors to be open upon arrival for pickup, and noted that snow and ice clearance around enclosures — though not from the dumpsters themselves — is the responsibility of the property. Preferred service days for the town would be Tuesdays and Fridays. (link)
The Committee also noted that the town plans to have a table at the “Get to Know the Valley” community event on October 10th, where MSW information will be available to residents.
The next meeting of the Municipal Solid Waste Committee is scheduled for October 13th at 9 a.m.