Town to Charge State Nearly Double for Trash Removed From Beach

The state of New Hampshire will now have to pay almost twice as much for Hampton Beach waste dropped off for disposal at the Hampton Transfer Station because town officials are working to correct an across-the-board undercharging for services related to state facilities.

The Hampton Board of Selectmen unanimously voted Monday to increase the solid waste disposal rate from 4 cents per pound to 7 cents per pound. Officials say the amount more accurately reflects town costs to process and dispose of refuse generated on state property, and they expect it significant increase revenues from the state.

Public Works Director Keith Noyes, who was instructed by selectmen to investigate the rates, said a total of 342,290 pounds of refuse was dropped off by the state in 2012. The state paid $13,691.60 for that disposal, which is over $10,000 less than the $23,960.30 that would've been paid had the rate been 7 cents per pound.

The undercharging issue is frequently discussed during the summer months and come budget time each fall. Noyes said he expects there may be additional rate changes for other state-related services, although he said those rate changes will be at the discretion of the selectmen.

"They've asked each department manager to assess how much it costs to service the state and change [the rates] to make sure they're paying the right amount," said Noyes.

Monday's solid waste rate change doesn't affect residential or commercial entities bringing refuse to the transfer station.