Towns Update Their Garbage Agreement

The landfill district that includes the town of Amherst has finally updated their waste agreement to reflect the changes made to waste removal over the years.

The Souhegan Regional Landfill District, which is comprised of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis and Mont Vernon, has been working on a revision to their agreement for the past ten years, according to committee member and DPW director Bruce Berry.

The agreement was drafted in the 1970s when Amherst’s transfer station was a landfill used by the surrounding towns. The waste is now shipped off and handled by Waste Management.

Revisions also include changes to how the towns are charged for the disposal of garbage. The cost is now based on actual tonnage of trash brought to facility, rather than the assessed value from property evaluations.

The Amherst Board of Selectmen approved the new document earlier this year. Berry said that the towns had been operating under these changes unofficially for years, but now the agreement sets concrete guidelines.

Amherst has decreased trash tonnage for the past four years, with 3,068.16 tons shipped off in 2011, according to the town’s 2011 report. The recycling program generates $84,372.48 in revenue (after expenses) as well last year.

Berry said that the town is currently renegotiating its contract with its hauling company, and plans to keep the price per ton of trash as low as possible. Amherst currently pays $70.50 per ton to ship its trash.

Visit the Amherst Transfer Station website for more information and hours.