11/05/2025 TSC Minutes

Transfer Station Committee Meeting

Nov. 5, 2025

Bethlehem Public Library

6:30 p.m.

Minutes by Chris Jensen

 

Attendees: Nancy Strand, Barry Zitzer, Andrea Bryant and Chris Jensen

Guest: Allegra Wright

 

Aries Revision and Groveton Transfer Station Visit

Ms. Strand and Mr. Jensen discussed their visit to Groveton and said they were impressed by its recycling process and a relatively simple system that does not require a four-sided building or extensive equipment. Mr. Jensen showed a two-minute video of the site.

 

There was also a wide-ranging discussion about Groveton not using pay-as-you-throw bags, why Bethlehem should use PAYT bags and the importance of a well-designed flow/process for efficiency and customer satisfaction.

 

Mr. Jensen raised the possibility of paying Aries Engineering to provide a new plan based on the Groveton transfer station.

 

However, other committee members said it is wiser to stick with a variation on the original Aries plan. It was noted that Groveton’s situation was not identical to Bethlehem’s and the town needs a building for reasons including a swap shop and storage. However, Mr. Zitser said if bids come back much higher than expected, Bethlehem might need to revisit a plan closer to what Groveton is using.

 

Bids, Construction, Bonds and Miscellany

Mr. Zitser had some suggestions about what should be in the request for bids with the hope of getting relatively quick and complete responses and thus moving the process along.

 

There was also a discussion about permitting. Mr. Jensen said he would check on the driveway permit for Route 116, which comes from the NH Department of Transportation.

 

It was noted that Jon Swan, a Dalton resident, has told the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services that NCES should be closed because it reached its Stage Six capacity in June. Ms. Bryant has expressed the same concern to the select board.

 

Mr. Jensen said should NCES suddenly be forced to close, the town could get a permit for an emergency transfer station. It is called a “permit-by-notification” which is relatively simple and quick. The town could use the highway department, which served in that capacity once before, when the NCES facility was suddenly not available.

 

Ms. Bryant said she would check into the process for a regular, transfer station permit from NH DES for Route 116.

 

The next (November) edition of “Just Be Greener” was reviewed. Following a motion by Mr. Zitser and a second by Mr. Jensen, it was unanimously approved.

 

Ms. Wright noted that minutes from the meetings are not being regularly posted on the town website, leaving some people unclear about what’s happening. Mr. Zitser said he would check on that.

 

The next meeting is December 2^nd at 6 p.m. at the library.

 

Mr. Zitser made a motion to adjourn. It was seconded by Mr. Jensen and unanimously approved.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.