JAY — The Select Board drafted a backup plan Monday after the town’s trash pickup contract was abruptly canceled, and approved wording for a nonbinding referendum on merging police services with Wilton.
Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere told the board that Riverside Disposal of Chelsea had withdrawn its bid for weekly trash pickup and biweekly recycling.
The board had placed a $200,000 article on the annual town meeting warrant to replace Archie’s Inc. of Mexico with Riverside after residents complained about inconsistent and sometimes missed pickups by Archie’s.
In an undated and unsigned letter, Riverside told LaFreniere, “Due to ongoing labor shortages and an already demanding service schedule, we regret that we are unable to commit the necessary resources to properly fulfill the scope of work outlined in the contract.”
Riverside had bid $210,000 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, and the board divided that into $200,000 for trash and $10,000 for recycling.
The board put the issue on the annual town meeting warrant as two articles so residents could vote on trash and recycling pickup separately.
LaFreniere told the Select Board the town could contract with the second‑lowest bidder, Somerset Disposal Service of Madison, without directly affecting the two articles on the warrant as written, posted and printed on ballots. Absentee ballots are already being distributed.
She and other town officials had met with Chris Roy of Somerset Disposal Service, who told them he could not hold to the original bid because of inflation but could provide the service for $226,500 for the first year. That amount includes biweekly recycling pickup.
Three possibilities remain:
- First, if both articles pass, the town will need another $16,500 to contract with Somerset.
- Second, if voters approve the trash article but reject recycling, residents will continue to have curbside trash pickup but will have to bring recycling to the transfer station.
- Third, if voters reject both articles, residents will have to take all of their trash to the transfer station.
LaFreniere proposed, and the board agreed, to prepare for either of the first two possibilities by rescheduling its next regular meeting to the day after town meeting, April 29, and then immediately calling a special town meeting to raise the remaining $16,500 needed to contract with Somerset Disposal Service.
Selectman Gary McGrane said recent state legislation makes supporting the recycling article financially sensible because Jay could receive reimbursement from the state for recycling costs, making recycling “lower cost than the tipping fee (for trash).”
Residents will ultimately vote on whether to raise $210,000 or $200,000. If either article passes, voters will be called April 29 to a special town meeting scheduled for May 11 at the Town Office.
LaFreniere noted that the town can act more quickly by calling a special meeting than by holding a referendum, which requires a 60-day notice.
The board unanimously adopted wording for the June 9 referendum that briefly explains each of the four options for cooperating with Wilton for police coverage. June 9 is also the date of the statewide primary.
The ballot language for Article 2 on the Jay ballot reads:
“Which of the following police collaboration options should the Select Board explore further: (This is a non-binding advisory question. Choose one.)”
- a. Take no action, maintain existing individual Town of Jay Police Department.
Explanation: “This option means that you want the Select Board to maintain the Jay Police Department and not explore any of the three options listed below.” - b. Contract police services to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Explanation: “This option means that you want the Select Board to explore a contract with the Franklin County Sheriff to provide police coverage for the Town of Jay.” - c. Contract to one town.
Explanation: “This option means that you want the Select Board to explore a contract with the Town of Wilton: either Jay contracting with Wilton to provide police coverage or Wilton contracting with Jay to provide police coverage.” - d. Create a Quasi-Municipal Corporation.
Explanation: “This option means that you want the Select Board to explore creating a quasi-municipal corporation that is a separate entity from the Towns of Jay and Wilton which would have its own governing board made up of representatives from each town.”
In supporting the addition of explanations, Selectman Tim DeMillo said, “We need to explain” the options to voters.
The Wilton Board of Selectpersons adopted similar ballot language April 7, but without the explanatory sentences. Wilton residents are also expected to vote on the issue June 9.
The Jay Select Board voted Feb. 23 to ask Wilton to contract with Jay for police coverage in both towns as a first step toward establishing a quasi‑municipal corporation – a two‑town police department governed jointly by Jay and Wilton. Wilton did not respond publicly.
In other matters, the Select Board authorized a contract with L&R Granite Works of Livermore to restore and clean gravestones at Stone’s Corner Cemetery. The cemetery is on Route 133, also known as Franklin Road, near Hyde Road and the Wiles Remembrance Center.
L&R’s work is to include cleaning 120 gravestones for $2,400, resetting 10 stones for $1,375, and repairing 16 stones at a cost of $800. The company said it plans to spend $1,000 on materials, bringing the total to $5,575.
L&R is also preparing proposals for work at Birchland Cemetery on Route 17 and at the North Jay Cemetery.
The Jay Select Board also voted to renew its contract with Wilton, Livermore and Livermore Falls to share equipment and operators for public works projects. Wilton selectpersons approved the contract April 7.
Additionally, the board unanimously agreed to share its fuel facility with Regional School Unit 73, which serves Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls.
The five‑year agreement calls for RSU 73 to pay a $1,000‑a‑year maintenance fee plus 7.5 cents a gallon for fuel it draws from the tanks.
