Hanover Reviews Transfer Station Fees

Correction: A previous verson of this story indicated that Hanover had finalized the transfer station fees. The story has been updated to reflect that the fee structure is still proposed.

The Hanover Select Board is considering a new fee structure for the town’s transfer station, set to take effect July 1 under the recently approved enterprise fund. Alongside the new pricing model, the board leaned away from a proposal to allow non-residents access, citing concerns over waste volume and facility sustainability.

The enterprise fund, which was approved at the December special town meeting, is designed to make the transfer station financially self-sufficient. Jim Hoy, the town’s budget director, said the revenue plan anticipates 60% of current users will continue with full access, while 40% will opt for limited or no use of the facility.

“We are not looking tonight at the fee schedule for all the bulky items and the C&D disposal rates,” Hoy said. “Those also will need to be approved by the select board, but there’s still work going on to do the comparative pricing to the market.”

One of the most debated topics during the Select Board’s discussion was a proposal to open the facility to non-residents at a higher sticker price of $500. However, board members largely opposed the idea, emphasizing the importance of limiting waste volume and keeping the facility focused on Hanover residents.

“When I saw this, I immediately thought that probably the persons who would be most interested in pursuing that would be those persons who would say, ‘This is really a good deal for me to get rid of a lot of trash,’” Select Board Member Greg Satterwhite said.

The board also highlighted the town’s broader goal of reducing waste generation, noting that increasing external use could undermine those efforts.

“The main goal should be to reduce the tonnage, and I don’t think that we’re effectuating that goal by inviting residents from outside of Hanover,” Select Board Chair Vanessa O’Connor said.

With the enterprise fund model now in place, officials hope the transfer station can remain financially stable without requiring additional funding from the town’s general budget.

“There’s pending capital of about $1.2 million that we’ll need in the next five years to keep the transfer station up and running,” Hoy said, emphasizing the long-term need for revenue sustainability.

To encourage early adoption, the town will offer discounted rates for stickers purchased before the end of July. Officials also confirmed they are exploring ways to improve access control, including options for digital payment and potential license plate recognition systems.

More information about the updated pricing and transfer station policies will be made available on the town’s website in the coming weeks.

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