Townsend Board of Health Approves FY2027 Recycling Budget, Raises Sticker Price $25

Board of Health · Meeting of February 9, 2026

Townsend Board of Health unanimously approves FY2027 pay-as-you-throw budget and moves to redirect fines to recycling fund. Chair Dr. Christian Roman-Ramirez led the three-member board through a work session revealing a roughly $22,000 structural revenue shortfall driven by the loss of a $6,000 credit under the town's contract with hauler GW Char and Son and the elimination of overflow bag revenue.

The board voted to submit a special town meeting warrant article amending Chapter 104 of the town code to channel all board fines and penalties — including tobacco and illegal dumping fines — into the Board of Health revolving fund. The FY2027 budget projects $330,000 in sticker revenue based on a proposed $25 increase to $150 per single-family household, with a GW Char and Son contract of $493,350 and an estimated $68,750 rolling to reserve. The board also unanimously appointed Health Administrator Carla Walter as enterprise fund administrator at a $400 monthly stipend contingent on town meeting approval, and approved a manure management plan for a two-horse private stable at 156 Barker Hill Road.

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Source: the Board of Health meeting of February 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.