The Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District (BRRDD) Directors voted to take action on two key items on the March 13 agenda. In both cases, neither vote was unanimously approved.

Home composting may become the norm in the Boothbay region beginning May 1 when the Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District no longer accepts leaves and grass at the facility.

The board of trustees met on Thursday, March 13 to discuss the fate of the composting service that has been precarious for the last two years.

The trustees have welcomed, and encouraged, public input and worked diligently to find another location on the peninsula for a composting site.

Operations Manager Steve Lewis had tried to work out a location with Neal Reny, of Reny Construction, who had expressed interest in moving the compost to his pit.

This required obtaining a license, otherwise, Reny, or any other party, would only be able to take "ready" compost.

Raw compost, leaves and grass clippings, must be taken to a compost facility to sit from six to 12 months. Additionally, compost piles must be turned to aerate the mixture.

According to Lewis, a license is approximately $130 to $150 and composting facilities must adhere to numerous regulations regarding setback area, wetlands, etc.

Lewis has previously said that the county will take the compost, but, any raw compost materials cannot contain grass clippings - nor could they handle the volume that is brought to the refuse district.

And, according to state law, raw compost must be brought to a licensed facility.

Dan Giles, the only public member at the meeting, said that he picks up compost materials, via special trips that yield no profit, particularly now that the cost of diesel fuel has risen to $4-plus per gallon.

Giles added that Marylouise Cowan's Bunny Barracks produced 500 to 600 cubic yards of compost materials a year - and that Mrs. Cowan was adamant about composting.

The trustees have been toiling with the issue since 2006. In March of 2007, Neil Reny removed most all of the compost that was at the facility and there was discussion about relocating the compost site to Reny's pit.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) visited Reny's site in August 2007 and determined that the pit would not be suitable. The DEP advised Reny that pouring a concrete pad that would cover the entire area to be used for composting would alleviate the department's concerns.

Lewis informed the trustees of recent attempts to grind the compost, but after eight to 10 buckets, he decided the substance was too wet to run through the horizontal grinder.

At the January meeting, the trustees decided to make a final decision at the March meeting. The long-term plan was to free up the area currently used for the compost material collection for scales to be used to weigh revenue-producing materials.

The trustees' long-term plan, since 2005, has included the purchase of a weigh scale and removing the compost would create adequate space for the 40 to 70-foot long scale that requires up to 100 feet on either side.

Weighing the construction, demolition and bulky (CDB) materials brought to the transfer station will provide a means of accurately and equitably charging the contractors bringing the materials to the facility.

Lewis has been researching other avenues for residents to compost at home. The alternative ideas he presented at the meeting included The Earth Machine, retail price $37.50

The Earth Machine produces ready-to-use compost in two to three months. Leaves, grass clippings and kitchen scraps (fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds and the like) are placed into the machine.

"The co-op sells the Earth Machines, 20 at a time for $37.50 to facility members that sell them to the public," said Lewis.

"In the past, other towns have purchased them for residents and kept them in stock, and some have taken pre-paid orders from residents who then pick them up when they arrive," Lewis said.

Earth Machines are 33" wide by 33" high, weigh 15 pounds and yield 10.5 cubic feet of compost. (www.earthmachine.com)

The trustees agreed the district should not become involved in retail sales, but should provide information about the alternative composting method - and others.

The trustees set the May 1 deadline to afford the public the opportunity to propose an alternative - a new site or a way to create space at the facility - that will make continuing to accept compost cost-effective. All interested residents are encouraged to attend the Thursday, April 10 meeting at 5 p.m. at the district office.

Trustees Tom Carbone and Bruce Cameron voted against the May 1 cessation date.

Continuing with the revenue-producing theme, the trustees discussed purchasing a used vertical baler to replace one in the recycling center, which was bought brand new approximately 18 years ago.

The matter of the vertical baler resumed now that the new 12' x14' recycling office is up and the electricity installed. The propane heater and lights in the current (tin) building/staff area will be moved to the new building.

The tin structure will be torn down.

At the December 2007 meeting, the trustees began talking about purchasing a vertical baler. Lewis had heard there were a few used Tramrail models in good condition that carried a price tag of $5,000 - installed.

The addition of this baler would enable the district to combine and compact mixed paper and magazines that could bring $20,000 into the district's revenue stream (based on current pricing).

Lewis said that baled mixed paper and magazines are going for approximately $76 per ton. In February, the facility sent 13 tons to Lincoln County Recycling; amount lost, $988. Lewis added that February was the slowest month of the year.

Keeping the profit on the peninsula rather than continuing to send it to Lincoln County Recycling seemed a better idea.

During last week's meeting, Lewis reported that there were no longer used $5000 balers available at The Valley Company.

While investigating new balers, Lewis discovered that there was a $13,000 model, a low-profile 36 HD Tramrail, and that the price tag included installation.

Trustee Mike Leighton said procrastinating on the purchase was only causing the district to lose money - something they would end up doing anyway to increase revenue.

Trustee Chuck Cunningham split the vote by opposing the purchase, still believing it best to wait for more used models to become available.

The rest of the trustees voted affirmatively based on the projected revenue related by Lewis.

"It would pay for itself, and then some, within the first year," Lewis said.

The district's total municipal request for 2009 is $927,800. The percentages for the towns are based on valuations and total taxable sales. Boothbay Harbor and Southport's percentages are slightly higher than in 2008; the towns of Boothbay and Edgecomb percentages are slightly lower.

The breakdown: Boothbay, 34.13 percent - $316,658 (down $6,216); Edgecomb, 9.54 percent - $89,533 (down $278); Boothbay Harbor, 39.54 percent - $366,852 (up $1,577) and Southport, 16.68 percent - $154,757 (up $4,917).

The trustees approved moving $9,250 to the facility's contingency fund line after Lewis and treasurer Harold Orne discovered a discrepancy, due to a calculation error, discovered in income and expenditures.

St. Andrews Hospital & Healthcare Center has begun a recycling program. Lewis recently met with representatives from the hospital about launching a recycling effort. The staff is collecting mixed paper and is bringing it to the recycling center.

Lewis researched prices for bins through MRRA that do not have the appearance of a trash receptacle.

The school program begun by Matt Thompson, and the alternative education class last year, has come to a halt. Previously, the Alternative Ed students collected the mixed paper and brought it to the facility, via a YMCA bus, to be weighed. The students visited classrooms to spread the word about the importance of recycling, and how and what to recycle.

Until participation by the students, or someone at the school, is resumed and transport of the recycling material to the district is arranged, the program will become defunct.

As previously reported, the next meeting will be on Thursday, April 10 at 5 p.m.