By: David Deschesne

Fort Fairfield Journal, April 18, 2012

The voters in the town of Perham recently voted to approve an expenditure of $27,000 for landfill fees to Presque Isle landfill. Last year's bill was only around $7,000. While the recent adoption of the colored, “Pay as you Throw” bags was supposed to cover landfill tipping fees, the PI landfill decided to change their mind and not honor that arrangement.

“The solid waste pay as you throw went by the wayside because they promised us the pay as you throw would take care of our trash bill,” explained Perham head selectman, Jerry Dow. “[The town of Perham] would no longer have to pay Presque Isle to accept our garbage because the individual homeowners would pay for it. It did not work out that way.”

Dow says he has been investigating all options. “We're talking to Saco, Maine about taking our trash - any place that burns trash is looking for trash.”

Locally, Tri-Community Landfill charges $85.00 per ton, tipping fee for non-member communities. Presque Isle is $112.00, Bangor is $40.00, Auburn is $26.00. “Now where would you take your trash, if you had a choice?”

Gil's Sanitation currently charges $13.00 for every house in Perham whether they pick up anything or not. The town of Perham then gets their allocation reimbursed from the sale of the pay as you throw bags.”

While the townspeople decided to approve the expenditure, they are in support of Dow is continuing to actively pursue more economical solutions.