MARS HILL, Maine — With a power-purchase subsidy ending for the waste-to-energy facility in Orrington this spring, Mars Hill residents are being asked to weigh in on other options for their trash.
The Mars Hill Town Council is hosting a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Mars Hill and Blaine Community Center for residents to share their thoughts on options for municipal solid waste.
Since the early 1990s, Mars Hill has sent its trash to the Penobscot Energy Recovery Company facility in Orrington, which burns solid waste to make electricity. Mars Hill Town Manager Dave Cyr said that with a power-purchase subsidy ending for PERC and Central Maine Power and Emera Maine on March 31, the town needs to consider other options.
“The council chose to terminate our contract and explore options for solid waste disposal closer to home,” Cyr said.
Currently, the town of Mars Hill pays about $120,000 a year for the contract with PERC. Town residents pay $3 for a sticker per 25 pound trash bag and can take the bags to the town transfer station or receive curbside pickup from Pine Tree Waste, which then hauls all of Mars Hill’s waste to Orrington.
The town is now looking to decide between two options, Cyr said. One would be contracting directly with Pine Tree Waste, which would probably still take the trash to PERC. The other would be contracting with the Tri-Community Recycling and Sanitary Landfill in Fort Fairfield, Cyr said.
If Mars Hill contracts with Pine Tree Waste, Cyr said residents would basically have two options. The town would continue operating the Mars Hill transfer station, and residents could continue buying $3 per 25-pound bag stickers to drop off their trash at the station. Residents could also opt to pay Pine Tree Waste for curbside pickup, without using the $3 per bag stickers.
If Mars Hill contracts with the Tri-Community Landfill, the town would shut down the transfer station, Cyr said. Residents would then be responsible for either hauling their trash to Fort Fairfield or hiring a company for curbside pickup to take it there.
Going with the Tri-Community Landfill would cost the town of Mars Hill about $80,000 a year, while the rates for contracting with Pine Tree Waste are not yet certain, Cyr said.
Cyr said he and the town council are not recommending any option at the point, but are “looking to get feedback.” The council would likely vote on the matter at the next regular meeting on Feb. 20.
