China manager, committee look beyond budget preparations for transfer station

by Mary Grow

China Transfer Station Committee members and Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood spent part of the committee’s Nov. 18 meeting talking about future expenses, looking toward and beyond 2025-26 budget preparations.

Hapgood summarized the next several years’ capital expenditure plans, with station manager Thomas Maraggio nodding agreement. Meanwhile, Maraggio hopes operating expenses will increase, when he finds the additional part-time employee he needs to have the facility fully staffed.

Committee member Rachel Anderson said the free for the taking building continues to be busy. Popular items include canning jars and other glassware and wearable clothing. Worn-out clothing should go into the white cloth-recycling containers.

Bob Kurek, one of Palermo’s two representatives on the committee, led discussion of problems with Palermo residents who do not consistently use the required blue disposal bags. Maraggio said most are cooperative about paying the four-dollar penalty, but talking with them to collect is an unnecessary extra task for staff.

He suggested increasing the penalty, to encourage Palermo people to save money by buying and using blue bags. Blue bags are sold at the Palermo town office and at Tobey’s Grocery.

Committee chairman Benjamin Weymouth praised the Halloween decorations at the transfer station and said he looks forward to future holidays.

Maraggio said after Christmas, Christmas trees that have not been sprayed can be left at no charge. Gift wrap cannot be recycled. He and Hapgood plan to include post-Christmas information in the December issue of the monthly China Connected.

Hapgood said 2026 transfer station windshield stickers had just arrived. She expects them to be available at the China and Palermo town offices Dec. 1, for the usual $2 fee.

The next transfer station committee meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9.