Solutions proposed for Moultonboro transfer station problems

The Citizen

By ERIN PLUMMER
eplummer@citizen.com

 November 8, 2008

MOULTONBOROUGH - Proposed changes to Moultonborough's transfer station will address ongoing safety issues and expansion of recycling space.
Members of the municipal needs committee appeared before the selectmen during Thursday night's meeting to report on the committee's findings. Town Administrator Carter Terenzini and the Board of Selectmen in late July asked the committee to offer possible solutions to safety concerns at the transfer station.
While there had not been a major incident at the station, Police Chief Scott Kinmond said there have been some worker injuries at the station, mostly involving handling glass.
Committee Chair Barbara Rando said four possible solutions were listed, ranging from large-scale to minimal.

The large-scale project called for a 120- by 100-foot addition to the existing building at the transfer station to satisfy all safety concerns and leave room for expansion.
A medium-scale project would involve no expansion of the facility, but would add four balers inside the building to allow workers to reduce their handling of recyclables by 60 percent. There would be an open bin for glass to free another container for recyclable plastics.

Currently residents go into the facility with their paper, which poses some safety risks. Under the medium plan, there would be a paper baler in the facility so residents will not bale their own paper. There also would be a Dutch door at the facility for cardboard. A pole barn also is proposed for the back to keep recyclables clean and dry.

A smaller solution would have just a glass pit and improvements in signs, which are being proposed with all the plans. The last option is to "do nothing" and go back to the joint loss management committee to come up with recommendations. Money for signs still would be requested and getting a perforator for the plant might also be recommended.

Another addition proposed is a "valet service" on weekends and holidays during the summer where part-time staff members will help move traffic. The valet service is proposed for most of the plans.

There is $900,000 in the capital reserve fund. Rando said there is enough money in the capital reserve fund to cover a project between the large and medium projects.

HOME