# 10/19/26 Solid Waste & Recycling Commission

The Town of Fairfield Solid Waste & Recycling Commission met on October 19, 2026. The department reported waste tonnage tracking toward roughly 29,500–29,700 tons for the year, below the 31,000 tons used in prior budget assumptions, and discussed a draft FY28 budget due for review by the First Selectperson between November 16 and 30. The draft includes a 4% increase in WinWaste’s municipal solid waste tip fee (within a stated 4%–6% increase range) and a 4% increase in transfer-station operating services; property-service expenses were projected to decrease by about $41,000, while contractual expenses were projected to rise by about $20,000. Lower waste and recycling tonnage assumptions also reduce projected expenses and related revenues. The commission expects to consider budget approval at its November meeting; no budget vote was taken. A concrete pad at the transfer station was completed the prior week to prevent trailer landing gear from sinking into asphalt; no project cost was stated.

Members discussed delayed delivery of app-accessible food-waste containers, reportedly held up after a shipment was confiscated in Spain. Once available, the program is expected to charge a $35 annual membership, intended to help cover app and pickup costs; the app fee was described as just under $1,000 per year. The commission also discussed forming a task force to develop a multi-year waste-reduction and recycling plan, potentially including consultant support in a future budget. The discussion identified a motion and second, but the transcript does not clearly record a final vote; members agreed to continue discussing the task force’s composition at the next meeting. Other business included unanimous approval of the September minutes and election of a vice chair.

**Industries:** Environment
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 19, 2026