Stoneham panel sets terms for new trash and recycling bid

Trash_Recycling Update & Discussion · Meeting of August 12, 2026

Stoneham trash committee charts course toward automated collection as Casella deal expires in June 2027. Town Administrator Dennis Sheehan told the resident advisory panel that fiscal 2026 trash spending hit $1.4 million for hauling plus a $576,000 tipping fee, on top of residents' $276 annual trash fee. Procurement Officer April Lanny said the town will use a "best value" request-for-proposal process, exempt from Chapter 30B bidding rules, rather than accept the lowest bidder outright.

Comparison bids from Reading, North Reading and Melrose ranged from $1.8 million to $2.5 million. Local hauler Lorenzo Popolo urged the town to keep a manual-collection option open, while resident Patty DeSantis of Citation Avenue, who said she fills only one bag a week, asked whether smaller barrels would remain available; the survey drawing feedback has logged 660 responses.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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Source: the Trash_Recycling Update & Discussion meeting of August 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.