Guilford to revisit transfer station issue

GUILFORD – Although residents voted last year to construct a solid-waste transfer station rather than contract with Mid-Maine Solid Waste Association in Corinna, the matter will be up for action again at this year’s annual March town meeting.

That’s because the costs estimated last year for construction of a new solid-waste transfer station were too low, according to Town Manager Tom Goulette. The current estimate for the site work and concrete pads for the buildings and the retaining wall alone is $295,000, he said Thursday. The total project costs could be as high as $700,000, he said.

The town purchased property on Blaine Avenue last year for the new transfer station after the Department of Environmental Protection ordered the town to cease use of an unpermitted site on Elm Street. The DEP gave the town up to two years to start construction on the new transfer station and a total of five years, including the two years, to complete the project. Because the town had no formal permit from the DEP for a new site at town meeting time, no funds were raised for the construction of a new transfer station.

Goulette now believes the Mid-Maine Solid Waste Association deserves a second look. Last year, the association offered to accept Guilford’s solid waste for $126,000 the first year. Goulette said he expects that contract price would be about the same this year if the town voted to use the facility on Town Line Road in Corinna. He said that amount is less than Guilford’s current solid-waste budget without adding the costs to construct a new transfer station.

“We need to look at the true costs and the bigger picture,” Goulette said. “It’s important we all look at the bigger picture and the overall effect on the town as a whole rather than on our own individual circumstances.”

Also at the 7 p.m. March 15 town meeting, to be held at Piscataquis Community Middle School, residents will vote on a proposed municipal budget of $482,534, which reflects an increase of $53,527 over last year’s approved municipal budget. Regarding solid waste, the proposed budget only reflects the current cost of transportation and tipping fees to Penobscot Energy Recovery Company in Orrington.

Residents also will likely be asked to approve the relocation of the veterans honor roll to a site across from the Guilford Memorial Library.