Grafton weighs trash fee hikes amid program deficit
Municipal Solid Waste Advisory Committee · Meeting of January 7, 2026
Grafton solid waste panel eyes fee increases to close program gap. The Municipal Solid Waste Advisory Committee reviewed options to address a $575,460 projected shortfall in the pay-as-you-throw program, which generated $710,214.84 in net revenue from bag sales in FY2025. Committee members Jim Malloy and Mike Rak endorsed maintaining PAYT and raising large bag prices from $14 to $24 per roll and small bags from $8 to $15 per roll, fully funding the program with a $130,825.16 reserve.
An alternative automated collection system would cost $110,586.90 more overall despite hauling discounts, primarily due to $65,000 in annual billing administration expenses. The Committee will finalize its recommendation to the Select Board at its January 21 meeting.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 275 words
Source: the Municipal Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting of January 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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