Sticker Fee Going Up at Durham-Middlefield Transfer Station

Starting next month, the cost of an annual sticker at the Durham-Middlefield Transfer Station will double, from $10 to $20.

The stickers, which are available to residents of Durham or Middlefield only, are renewed on a yearly basis, starting July 1. The increase is due, in part, to the increasing financial pressure on the towns to cut costs or increase revenue.

Dom DelVecchio, who serves as chairman of the Durham Middlefield Interlocal Agreement Advisory Board (DMIAAB), said he expects criticism from some residents over the increase, but points out that it is the first in more than ten years.

"The fact of the matter is it's a tremendous bargain," DelVecchio says about the once-a-year fee.

DelVecchio says the sticker allows residents to throw away household garbage, bottles, cans, plastics and cardboard, as well as brush and yard waste free of charge. Residents are charged separate fees to dispose of other items, such as tires and refrigerators.

Private curbside garbage pickup is available to residents for about $26 a month, DelVecchio said.

The number of residents using the transfer station has steadily increased over the years. In 2009, 3116 stickers were sold to residents according to transfer station site manager Bob Matuskiewicz. The number jumped to 3701 last year.

"It's non-stop, all day long. Some days the cars are backed up ten, twelve in a row," Matuskiewicz said during Patch's recent visit to the transfer station.

The sticker fee increase is just one of several changes coming to the transfer station in 2011.

Earlier this year, DMIAAB members approved a plan to install a scale at the transfer station, which will be used to more accurately weigh demolition debris.

"Right now we're estimating by volume and being charged by weight," DelVecchio said about the process, which often results in the town having to pay more to dispose of the material than it collects.

"The majority of the towns in the state are still subsidizing demolition costs, but more are moving towards [using] a scale that we can accurately estimate our cost of disposing of it," said DelVecchio. 

The scale, which will be located adjacent to the trash compactor, will cost between $50,000 to $60,000. Necessary site improvements will cost an additional $100,000, according to DelVecchio.

"It's already incorporated in the budget starting in July," he said while expressing optimism that some of the expenses would be offset by unexpected revenue raised in the recycling market.

Town crews from Durham and Middlefield will be involved in some of the installation work, resulting in additional savings.

"It's all coming together. We hope to have it operational by the end of the fall season," DeVecchio said.

E-Waste Coming Soon

The transfer station will soon begin accepting electronic waste (e-waste) - which includes items such as computers, printers and televisions. 

"Hopefully within three to four weeks it will be up and running," DelVecchio said.

The e-waste will be collected free of charge and sent to We Recycle in Meriden. Currently, residents dispose of their e-waste at electronic recycling collection sites throughout during the year.

The transfer station will also recycle fluorescent lightbulbs and household batteries, the fees for which have yet to be determined.

Starting July 1, disposing of tires will cost $5 per tire, up from the current $3 per tire.

The DMIAAB board is currently updating its fee schedule for the transfer station. Patch will publish the fees once they are complete.

"There are a lot of improvements being made," DelVecchio said.

The Durham-Middlefield Transfer Station is open Monday and Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Editor's Note: The transfer station will be closed on Monday, July 4, but will be open on Tuesday, July 5. New stickers will be available in July. Check back with Patch for specific details.