Station Manager Steve Lewis proposed a budget increase just over 10% for Fiscal Year 26 Nov. 14 during the Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District Trustees' meeting. This is the first draft of a $2,621,200 proposed budget. The Fiscal Year 25 budget's grand total is $2,350,590 which runs until June 30, 2025.

Based on the first draft, the municipal request to the four member towns would increase from $1,704,090 to $1,887,200. Each town pays a portion based on a formula.

Trustees spent most of the meeting reviewing spending proposals, which include a new 30-foot by 40-foot steel building, employee raises and operation cost increases.

Trustees agreed to purchase the new steel building. The structure includes a single slope roof, two open bays, one closed bay with a 10-foot by 10-foot overhead door and a 36-foot by 7-foot man-door. Trustees accepted a $406,350 bid from Clear Stream Construction in Boothbay. The scope of work calls for removing solar and electrical panels, and setting up temporary power for a truck garage after installing a new foundation. 

Trustees plan to demolish the existing building and foundation, dispose of the debris, dig a new foundation, pour footing walls and slab, purchase a building and connect power. Paving would be done by a separate contractor.

Once trustees decided to purchase the building, the next decision was about financing. Trustees had a choice between seeking a 10-year or 20-year loan. First National Bank offered a 10-year loan at a 5.4% rate and a 20-year loan at 5.81%. The 10-year one would cost trustees an additional $18,000 in yearly payments, but the 20-year loan would cost an additional $157,700 over the term. 

"I'm worried about the 10-year term because I'm afraid if something should happen that a larger payment would make things difficult," Trustee Chuck Cunningham said.

Lewis is also proposing pay increases for transfer station employees. He wants to increase starting pay from $22 to $24 per hour. He is also comparing truck driver wages for the transfer station and Giles Rubbish. Lewis sought hiring wage information from Fed Ex, Casella Waste Management in West Bath and Gagne & Son in Belgrade. 

Lewis also proposed allowing truckers to work on Columbus Day. Currently, trustees allowed drivers to work on the Fourth of July, Memorial and Labor days. Lewis told trustees drivers also want to work on Columbus Day to reduce the load on the following Tuesday. 

Chairman Jody Lewis requested seeing financials figures comparing the cost of allowing truckers to drive on a holiday versus paying them holiday and overtime pay.

Trustees will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 in the transfer station business office.