Washburn feels pushed to join PAYT
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
SHOW AND TELL — Presque Isle City Manager Jim Bennett and Solid Waste Director Dana Fowler traveled to Washburn the evening of Jan. 6 to make an informal presentation about the proposed pay-as-you-throw program the city of Presque Isle is looking to implement as a way to reduce costs and extend the life of the landfill, in part by encouraging more recycling. Pictured from left is Bennett, with Fowler holding an example of what the new PAYT draw-string bags will look like.
WASHBURN — Town Council met Monday night, focusing much of the meeting on the proposed pay-as-you-throw program the city of Presque Isle has in the works with regard to trash disposal at the landfill.
With mere weeks before the annual Town Meeting to vote on the community’s budget, councilors felt pressured to make a decision on the PAYT program and how it will financially impact residents and businesses of the town.
Washburn town officials were first told of the program, according to Town Manager Bev Turner, when Presque Isle Solid Waste Director Dana Fowler made a presentation in Washburn in October 2010. At the time, Presque Isle had not approved the program, which was still in the planning stages. Since then, Presque Isle City Council has given preliminary approval to the program, with one more public hearing slated for Feb. 7 before Council officially enacts the plan. Last Thursday, Presque Isle City Manager Jim Bennett and Fowler held an informal meeting at the Washburn elementary school to provide information about the program and answer participants’ questions.
Turner asked councilors for their input on how to proceed, with Council Chair Mike Umphrey suggesting a meeting should be set up with Bennett and Fowler to thoroughly go over the options and the related financial numbers. Turner said she’d try to set up a meeting, but given the small window of opportunity between now and when she has to have the town’s budget ready for a vote, the possibility of a meeting is questionable at best.
Councilors agreed more information was necessary before they could determine the best option for citizens.
Concern was expressed over Presque Isle’s decision-making process with regard to the landfill, given the fact that six communities (Mapleton, Chapman, Castle Hill, Perham, Wade and Washburn) also contract for use of the facility but were not included in discussions.
“The last two (solid waste meetings) I attended there were no votes taken. The only thing they talked about were the changes,” said Turner.
Councilor Keith Brown said options could be presented at a town meeting, with a subsequent vote by residents.
Turner said she was still trying to understand all the options and how they would affect taxpayers.
Councilor Fred Thomas wasn’t pleased with how things have played out with regard to Presque Isle’s PAYT program and how the other towns who use the landfill have been treated.
“I feel Presque Isle has rammed themselves down our throats. We signed a contract with the landfill,” said Thomas.
A resident in the audience agreed with Thomas, citing the agreement Washburn entered into with Presque Isle in 2008.
“Presque Isle may have overlooked or breached their own contract. I’m reading from the second page, with regard to the pricing formula, ‘The pricing formula is subject to change from time to time, after consultation with the municipalities.’ But the figures Dana (Fowler) handed out at last week’s meeting indicate prices have been determined by Presque Isle already. Presque Isle has worked on changes since last summer. Washburn can’t afford a potential tax increase,” said Washburn resident James McCarty.
Thomas agreed that Washburn officials have not been involved in the decision-making process with regard to the landfill and the PAYT program.
“I don’t think we were ever asked. The bottom line is we’re going to have to buy the bags. But I don’t think we were consulted,” said Thomas.
Umphrey said he and Thomas were two of the original Washburn councilors involved with the landfill agreement, based on paying per tonnage. Umphrey said the contract came about at the request of the federal government and that no agreement existed prior to 2000.
“None of the three communities (Perham, Wade and Washburn) had a contract. The federal government said we had to have one. We looked into Tri-Community’s but they didn’t want us, so we signed with Presque Isle,” said Umphrey.
Thomas said a problem with the landfill’s liner brought about the second contract, due to increased cost for the liner replacement. At the time, Washburn officials were included in the process and signed off accordingly for the fee increase. Thomas said now fees may be changing but without proper notification to town authorities.
“I have a problem with changing the structure of the fee schedule without any input of participating communities. I don’t recall them (Presque Isle officials) ever coming and asking what our opinions were. They just made the decision,” said Thomas. “I think we need to look into this more.”
Councilor Jeff Wark said Presque Isle was going to “do this regardless of what we do.”
Councilors discussed the possibility the mil rate would increase but did not specify by how much. A hauler and the specific rates associated with trash removal will be determined by town officials at a later time, said Turner.
Thomas said he agreed with the concept of recycling but believes more people will be throwing things out alongside the road.
Turner said a special town meeting should be scheduled to present information to citizens as soon as possible.
“Martin Puckett, Mapleton’s town manager, said he planned to go to his meeting with three separate budgets. I can barely handle one (set of) figures,” said Turner.
Thomas made the motion to set a special town meeting to vote on how the town will handle trash removal in the coming year. The time, date and place of the meeting will be announced as soon as it is determined.
“This will hurt businesses. Businesses will be paying more. Industrial accounts will be hurt,” said Thomas.
