Dale Girard
Mayoral Notes
The transfer station is going to have changes in operation beginning in January 2024.
During Claremont’s budget hearings in 2022, the acting city manager proposed a budget for FY 2023 budget which would cost taxpayers approximately $128,000 to operate the transfer station. This was based upon the expenses minus revenues from transfer station tickets.
After releasing a request for proposal, the city council voted to subcontract the transfer station. We were aware this decision was concerning to some residents but felt the savings of over $100,000 was important.
When the city operated the sanitation department, we had one full-time employee budgeted. The 40 hours were split between two employees who worked full days Tuesday and Saturday as well as a half day on Wednesday.
When the subcontractor took over the transfer station, both employees began working full time at the Department of Public Works. The sanitation employee filled a position that was vacant at the time.
In comparison, the FY 2024 budget was approved at $25,500, which covers landfill closure monitoring, mowing and solid waste fees. During the budget process, the council confirmed our position in eliminating the sanitation position.
In October, DeCamp, which won the bid to manage the transfer station, gave a 90-day notice to the city that was required by their agreement. City Manager Yoshi Manale and Public Works Director Alex Gleason began conversations with DeCamp to come up with a solution to continue providing services.
Director Gleason provided an update to the council on Nov. 8. We were informed of concerns over the treatment DeCamp’s employees were receiving from some customers, which the council and I found deplorable.
Starting in January, DeCamp is going to continue to provide service at the same price as currently charged at the transfer station. However, you will be required to purchase stickers at a minimum of 5 at a time. The stickers can be purchased at the transfer station on the first Saturday of the month or at Golden Cross Ambulance any day. The sticker will be placed around the neck of the bag. DeCamp is requesting you to call their office if you want pickup service. At that point they will advise the day to place your bags by the curb. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=944849070395217&set=a.617407946472666
You will be able to continue to bring yard waste, waste oil, electronics, and metal to the transfer station on the first Saturday of each month.
If you have large or unbagged items you would like curbside pickup, please call DeCamp’s office to arrange for this service.
We recognize this is a significant change for residents. The new system is the same cost but with hopefully less effort for our residents. We hope this allows you to spend less time trying to dispose of waste and less money on fuel in your vehicles driving to the transfer station.
— Dale Girard is the mayor of Claremont, NH.
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