On April 22, Northfield residents will vote by Australian ballot to determine whether the Town should withdraw from membership in the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District and join instead the Mad River Resource Management Alliance. The purpose of membership in one or the other of the organizations is to secure the programs required by Vermont Act 68 for local and regional management of solid waste, recycling, education, hazardous waste collection, and so on.

Northfield has been a member of the Central Vermont district for many years but in November 2009 the District notified it members of debt and problems with operating transfer stations that would result in the District’s ceasing operations for waste depots and likely raising the required municipal per capita contribution for district programs and operations. As a result, Northfield negotiated a contract for the Town to take control of its transfer station, and simultaneously began examining options to ensure required solid waste programs at the best cost and service to the community.

A committee appointed by the Selectboard has recommended consideration of the Mad River Resource Management Alliance as the more cost effective alternative for Northfield community programs. Membership fees, hazardous collection, and vendor tipping fees are lower with Mad River but a very active organics waste management program provided by Central Vermont isn’t available through Mad River. This could raise the cost for school participation in the organics collection by some factor. In fairness to CVSMMD, there has been a significant change in management and a reassessment and realignment of fiscal program since November. Nevertheless, the Board is interested in the long term stability of our community program and has requested the voter’s interest in the matter.

All things being equal, the Town will be served consistent with state requirements by either membership. The question of membership turns on comfort with the management and fiscal stability of the two organizations and the interests of Northfield residents.