HARPSWELL

Casella will continue as contractor for Harpswell’s solid waste needs in 2018 after selectmen last week approved pursuing a pact with the company.

“We went out for bid a couple of months ago, actually,” said Recycling Center Manager Chuck Perow. “Our contract for waste disposal comes up at the end of this year.”

The Recycling Center reached out to 10 companies for bids, and ultimately received five from four companies in mid-September. Perow recommended selecting Casella, which has provided Harpswell’s solid waste disposal services for the last four years.

“Transition-wise, it should be smooth to none,” said Perow.

Earlier in the year at the annual Town Meeting, the town voted to allow the board of selectmen to approve a longer-term contract for solid waste disposal. In prior years, the town has opted for year-to-year contracts.

Casella offered two bids: One using the town’s current method of incineration at a waste to energy plant, and one where Casella would decide the disposal method, which could include landfill. The board of selectmen, on the recommendation of Perow, chose to continue with incineration.

According to Casella’s bid, continued services in 2018 would come to $149,970.

Selectmen also approved Perow’s request to increase pricing for tires at the recycling center, due to increased cost of recycling. The new prices will go into effect in 2018.

Fire department

Selectmen approved the release of funding for capital improvements to Orr’s/Bailey’s Island Fire Department station, to replace the department septic system.

In March, the town approved $30,914 for renovations to the fire station on Orr’s Island. At the same time, however, the town had applied for a Community Development Block Grant to fund the project. When the budget item was crafted in January, Orr’s/Bailey’s Island Fire Department President Mike Helfgott asked that if the town received the CDBG funds, they would still be allowed to use some $15,000 for a new sprinkler system. The rest would remain unspent.

Ultimately, the department received a CDBG in the amount of $61,828 for renovations, and they also received $15,000 of the approved town funds toward the sprinkler system. In the midst of renovations, however, the department learned it would need to replace the septic system at the station.

“Obviously, unexpected expenses sometimes pop up when you do a project like this,” said Bob Garver of the Orr’s/Bailey’s Island Fire Department.

Selectmen voted to release the remaining $15,914 toward the new septic system, although Garver noted that it would not cover the full cost, which is estimated to be more than $26,000. The department will cover the remaining cost.