Wiscasset Transfer Station recently reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with off-hours being used to sanitize and disinfect the station. On Tuesday, April 14, the town announced a return to regular hours Tuesday, April 14.

The statement read in part: “Needed maintenance of equipment and buildings, and coronavirus precautions, will be completed by then. Only garbage will be accepted. Please stay in (an) assigned lane and maintain social distancing for the protection of all. Regrettably, recyclables will still have to be thrown into the hopper. We continue to look for opportunities to expand our collection efforts but it will take some time. We will keep you informed of developments.”

Town Manager John O’Connell told selectmen April 7 about the changes occurring then, saying they were done to eliminate person to person contact in keeping with the state’s social distancing recommendation.

During the meeting, Selectman Jeff Slack said the transfer station changes hadn’t set well with a Budget Committee member. Slack said the person he didn’t name was heard to say “scathing” things about the town manager. “It went way too far,” said Slack. “I don’t want him to be part of the budget process.” Slack recommended the selectboard remove him from the committee.

Selectmen’s Chairman Judy Colby said she would look into the matter further. Several years ago, the board removed an airport committee member.

Wiscasset Transfer Station users are no longer being asked to separate recyclables from their trash. Almost everything goes into one bag and down into the hopper. Materials are being processed by Coastal Resources of Maine in Hampden. Cardboard boxes need to be broken down, plastic and metal food containers should be rinsed, and items prohibited from the hopper include batteries, yard waste, tree limbs, wood products, Styrofoam, tires, furniture, carpeting, clothing, glass and metal.

If unsure what can or can’t be thrown away, ask a station attendant or call 882-8231 during operating hours.