Perhaps the best indicator that the town is experiencing significant growth is at the transfer station. During 2003, the community sent 732.18 tons of solid waste to the PERC plant in Orrington. This represents 85.65 tons more than 2002, or a 13.25% increase! On many occasions all the dumpsters at the transfer station fill quickly with trash, especially during the summer months.
The town’s recycling rate for 2002 was 25%, which is a little better than the state average of 23%, and a slight increase from the year before. We anticipate the recycling rate will fall a bit this year due to discontinuance of the metal pile at the transfer station.
During 2003 the Maine Department of Environmental Protection requested that the town clean up stained dirt around the cement pad that used to house the metal pile. That was accomplished at a cost of $3,660.80. Homeowners with metal to dispose of can utilize the Ellsworth Transfer station with a permit from the town office.
The stickers to use the Lamoine facility have changed this year in an effort to keep only Lamoine residents using the transfer station. Effective in mid-November cars without the new sticker are not supposed to use the transfer station, and the users have been diligent about obtaining the free stickers from the town office.
Allen Sternfield,
Transfer Station Manager