Finance panel OKs 36-town trash negotiation deal
Finance Committee · Meeting of September 28, 2026
Newton Finance Committee backs a 36-town trash deal and a bike-share funding fix. The committee unanimously authorized the city to join Walpole and 35 other communities in jointly negotiating Newton's next solid waste disposal contract, with DPW Commissioner Sullivan noting the city's current rate of $84.47 per ton sits well below the $100 to $120 other towns pay, and Newton's share of legal costs pegged at about $2,500. Separately, the committee approved $35,032 in Community Preservation Act funds, covering a 20 percent local match for a 2021 Community Connections Award, to install two Blue Bikes stations after a previously planned funding source "didn't pan out." One committee member pressed staff on why funds were being approved after a station in the Upper Falls Greenway was already installed, with city staff member Lemieux telling confused councilors, "No, you're not the only one confused." Sullivan said Newton generates more than 16,000 tons of waste annually and is seeking a new disposal contract term of five to 10 years.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,367 words
Source: the Finance Committee meeting of September 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Keep reading with a 30-day free trial
Subscribe to Middlesex County News to keep reading this post and get 30 days of free access to the full post archives.
Starting a trial requires a payment method. After 30 free days your subscription begins at the price shown at checkout and renews automatically until you cancel. You can cancel anytime from your account. Subscription terms
A subscription gets you:
- Subscriber-only posts and full archive
- Post comments and join the community
- 24x7 access to local news