Winn approves waste disposal pact with PERC

WINN – Residents’ approval of a new agreement with the Penobscot Energy Recovery Co. will result in lower solid waste disposal costs.

About 20 residents who gathered Monday for the annual town meeting authorized selectmen to enter into the new agreement.

Winn has been trucking its trash to PERC’s Orrington plant. Allan Brown, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said the town currently pays between $57 and $58 per ton to dispose of its waste at the plant. By becoming a charter member, the town will pay less in disposal fees. Brown estimates the town will save about $4 per ton in fees.

The largest single budget increase is for solid waste operations. Residents approved spending $40,000 from surplus funds for solid waste operations. It represents an increase of $12,000 compared with last year. The major reason for the increase is to cover the cost of construction debris disposal from the town’s transfer station.

In the past, Winn, like many other towns, was able to dispose of construction debris with the regular trash and trucked it to PERC, but the Orrington plant no longer accepts construction debris.

Brown said it costs about $95 a ton to dispose of construction debris.

Residents approved a municipal budget of $152,050. It represents an increase of $3,062 compared with last year. The amount to be raised from local taxes is $10,000, which represents no increase compared with last year.

Sixty-five ballots were cast during Monday’s municipal elections. The town has about 290 registered voters.

Incumbent Shirley Harvey was re-elected to a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen. Harvey had 32 votes, compared to 16 for Robert Berry and 13 for Karen Morrison.

Lisa Fogg and Patsy Clark were elected to three-year terms on the SAD 30 board. Fogg received 54 votes and Clark received one write-in vote.

Incumbent Patricia Hussey was re-elected to a one-year term as town clerk with 63 votes. Incumbent Clinton Haynes was re-elected to a one-year term as treasurer with 64 votes. During the town meeting, Haynes also was re-elected as tax collector and Andy Clark was elected as the town sexton.