Scituate Grapples with Rising Costs, Approves Transfer Station Fee Hike

Town Faces Budget Challenges Amid Rising Healthcare Costs

SCITUATE, MA - October 22 - The Scituate Select Board has approved a significant increase in transfer station fees, raising the single sticker price from $105 to $140, a 33 percent jump. The decision, made during a recent board meeting, aims to address a revenue deficit in the enterprise fund and balance the budget for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.

The fee hike comes as the town faces mounting financial pressures, particularly from rising healthcare costs and other fixed expenses. Town officials are working to balance the budget without resorting to layoffs or service reductions but warn of potential challenges in the coming fiscal years.

Under the new fee structure, the additional transfer station sticker will increase from $40 to $60, while the senior sticker will see a more modest $5 increase. The disposal fee for mattresses will also rise from $50 to $75.

Finance Director Nancy Holt explained the rationale behind the increases: "The problem with the transfer station right now is the rate increases tied to operational costs. The fiscal 25 budget had revenue projections that were $140,000 less than the budget that's currently in place."

Holt emphasized that despite efforts to reduce costs, including a pilot program to increase usage, the transfer station continues to face financial challenges. "The pilot program that we looked at has not yielded what we wanted to yield from it," he said.

The fee increases are expected to generate about $170,000 in additional revenue, which officials say will resolve the fiscal 2025 deficit and address the projected fiscal 2026 revenue shortfall.

Despite the substantial increase, town officials argue that the transfer station remains a cost-effective option for residents. "I still think $140 for a new year to drop off is far cheaper than a private hauler," Holt noted.

The decision to raise fees was not taken lightly, with board members expressing frustration at the necessity of the increase. One member commented, "None of us are happy to bring this back to you and not be able to say we were able to find at least that or the other thing over the last six months. It's aggravating, to say the least."

The fee increase is part of a broader effort to address budget challenges facing the town. Scituate is grappling with significant increases in healthcare costs, with Town Administrator Jim Boudreau reporting an 89 percent increase on active plans for the over-65 population, which comprises 52 percent of the town's health insurance population.

The town is also facing increased pension costs and a potential rise in the regional school assessment. These factors, combined with changes in state funding and reduced new growth revenue, have created a challenging fiscal environment.

Boudreau outlined the steps taken to balance the budget, including removing unfilled positions and reducing various departmental budgets. "We removed a bunch from the purchase of service," he said, adding, "We will still, you know, do what we need to do. Some of the things that we looked at, some help in the DPW, which is great, but between the two, it was about $60,000."

While the current budget avoids layoffs or significant service reductions, officials warn that tough decisions may lie ahead. The town is considering the possibility of an override in the future, particularly to address potential increases in the regional school assessment.