Town Services and Outreach Committee Oct 1, 2026

The Town of Amherst Services and Outreach Committee discussed requirements for a future waste-hauling RFP. Members reviewed options for weekly or biweekly recycling, single- or dual-stream collection, yard-waste schedules, bulky-item pricing, transfer-station use, and pickup at downtown and park locations. They also discussed curbside composting and pay-as-you-throw options, including how to compare vendors’ proposed services and costs. No vendor was selected and no contract or spending approval was voted on. The consultant is expected to bring a revised RFP draft and proposed evaluation criteria for review at the committee’s October 15 meeting; the committee also emphasized that haulers may propose subcontractors for composting.

Members generally favored having the hauler handle customer complaints as the first point of contact, with town staff overseeing contract performance. The town manager noted that the program would require staff capacity and should be budgeted accordingly; liquidated damages and service expectations could be addressed in the draft contract. The committee also approved appointments to the Black Reparations Committee, the Community Preservation Act Committee, and the Percent for Art Advisory Committee. No specific procurement award or dollar amount was identified.