Amesbury Energy, Environment, and Sustainability Committee Municipal Solid Waste Working Group Meeting

The Municipal Solid Waste Working Group met on March 17, 2026. City Energy Manager Dave (DJ) Johnson led an early-stage discussion focused on two overarching concerns: (1) the rising cost of trash pickup and the need to move that expense out of the City’s property-tax levy into a resident fee model, and (2) reducing volume—especially food waste—in the municipal trash stream by diverting organics to more sustainable management. The group reviewed current cost drivers, including an anticipated 3% increase in trash costs for FY27 and a combined trash/recycling budget expected to exceed $2 million, and noted that Massachusetts landfills are effectively full, increasing reliance on out-of-state hauling and future costs. Committee members discussed container sizes (65-gallon vs 35-gallon), automated-arm pickup with the current contractor (Mello), benefits of staying with the incumbent carrier, and that the City’s contract with Mello runs through FY2028.

Committee members reviewed pay-as-you-throw program models and pickup-frequency options (weekly vs. every-other-week), and discussed what a resident-fee system might look like and the municipal timeframe to transition from levy-funded pickup to resident fees. They are working with Mello to inventory the number and types of households currently receiving weekly pickup (single-family, condos, multi-family). The meeting also covered how recycling fees are calculated, MASS DEP Re-TRAC reporting (FY23–FY25) and FY26 grant opportunities. No public comments or contentious votes on policy or ordinance changes were recorded. The working group chose to meet monthly (third Tuesday) to continue these topics in subsequent meetings.