COHASSET - Cohasset's Recycling Transfer Facility (RTF) is facing a critical juncture, with a proposal to establish an RTF Enterprise Fund set to be revisited at the Fall 2025 Special Town Meeting. This decision could profoundly impact how the facility operates, how it's funded, and ultimately, what residents pay for its services.
The move to create an Enterprise Fund aims to make the RTF financially self-sustaining, moving it from a system reliant on general town revenues to one where its own generated fees cover its costs. This initiative follows the defeat of a similar proposal at the Annual Town Meeting in May 2025, which left the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Town operating budget with a deficit requiring urgent action.
Why an Enterprise Fund? The Current Funding Dilemma
Currently, the RTF operates as part of the Department of Public Works (DPW) and is funded through the Town's General Fund. Under this system, all revenue generated at the RTF, including sticker sales and disposal fees, is pooled and then split with the School Department using a 61% to 39% formula. This means only 39% of RTF-generated revenue is available to fund RTF operations, with the majority going to schools and other town departments.
However, rising operational costs, including waste disposal and electricity, have increasingly required property taxes and other general revenue to subsidize the RTF, creating a budget deficit. Town Manager Chris Senior emphasized that creating an RTF Enterprise Fund is the "more fiscally responsible and less fiscally impactful approach for Town residents".
An Enterprise Fund is a financial mechanism that would allow 100% of the revenue generated by the RTF to stay within the fund. This model is already successfully utilized by Cohasset's Water and Sewer Departments. If approved, it would effectively remove RTF expenses from the Town's Operating Budget, allowing the facility to operate more like a business and reduce its reliance on property tax subsidies. It would also enable the creation of reserve funds for capital improvements and general operations.
The need for a new approach was also underscored by a fire at the RTF in October 2024, which prompted significant operational improvements, including streamlined workflows, new equipment, and the repurposing of an "RTF village" area.
What This Means for Your Wallet: Proposed Fee Structures
The decision at the Special Town Meeting directly impacts the fees residents will pay for RTF services. Here are the two main scenarios:
Option 1: RTF Enterprise Fund is Established (Proposed Fees)
If the Enterprise Fund is approved, the proposed fees, aimed at making the RTF self-sustaining while keeping costs as low as possible, would be:
• Primary All-Facilities Sticker (RTF + Beach Parking): Proposed to increase from $75 to $150. Revenue from this sticker would go directly to the RTF Enterprise Fund.
• Second/Third+ All-Facilities Sticker: Proposed to remain at $75. Revenue from these stickers would continue to go to the General Fund, as they are primarily for beach parking.
• Senior Primary Sticker (65+): Proposed to increase from $30 to $60.
• Pay-per-Throw Bags: Proposed to increase from $1 to $2 for small (16-gallon) bags and from $2 to $4 for large (33-gallon) bags. These increases are targeted to go into effect on September 1, 2025, subject to a Select Board vote. These fees are based on actual disposal costs (estimated up to $1.75 for small and $3.50 for large bags, excluding staff costs), plus handling, manufacturing, and administrative fees.
• Other Disposal Fees: Fees for bulky items (e.g., upholstered furniture, mattresses, TVs, monitors, appliances) are also proposed to increase to reflect actual disposal costs, aiming for a break-even operation.
Comparatively, Cohasset's proposed sticker fees with an Enterprise Fund would be in line with or lower than some neighboring towns:
• Cohasset (Proposed): $150 (RTF + Beach)
• Scituate: $175 (RTF + Beach)
• Hanover: $345 (RTF only)
• Plymouth: $260 (RTF + Beach)
• Duxbury: $225 (RTF + Beach)
Option 2: RTF Remains in the DPW Budget (General Fund)
If the Enterprise Fund is not established, fees would need to be significantly higher to balance the FY26 budget, as only 39% of the generated revenue would be available for RTF operations:
• Primary Sticker: Would need to be $385.
• Pay-per-Throw Bags: Would need to be $5 for small bags and $10 for large bags.
Select Board Chair Ellen Maher stated that if the Enterprise Fund proposal doesn’t pass, "RTF fees will be much higher or budget cuts will come out of every department".
Addressing Resident Concerns
Cohasset residents have raised several important questions and concerns:
• Impact on Schools: The FY26 School budget has already been adjusted to account for the anticipated change in RTF funding. Therefore, schools will not experience a loss of revenue if the Enterprise Fund is established, as the funding will remain in the School's base budget.
• "Sticker Shock" and Fee Control: Fees are based on actual costs incurred by the Town at disposal sites, aiming for a break-even operation. The Select Board has the authority to set or change RTF fees, but the RTF's overall yearly budget must be approved by Town Meeting. No automatic increases are planned, and larger changes will be phased in where possible with public explanation. Capital expenses will require a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting.
• Transparency and Oversight: The Town is committed to robust oversight, including annual independent audits by a 3rd party accounting firm, review by the Advisory Committee, and quarterly online dashboards detailing financial performance. The Enterprise Fund is designed so money can only be used for RTF-related activities.
• Non-Resident Pilot Program: The proposal includes a capped pilot program for up to 300 non-resident RTF-only permits at $300. This program aims to leverage the RTF's under-utilized 50-ton per day capacity to generate additional revenue. Concerns about increased traffic and the program becoming permanent have been acknowledged. The program will be assessed after one year and can be ended if it does not work as intended, with specific parameters for success and public input.
• Low-Income/Senior Support: The pay-as-you-throw system allows users to control costs based on usage. Seniors will continue to receive a reduced sticker rate.
Improvements at the RTF
Since the October 2024 fire, significant improvements have been made to the RTF. A new industry professional, Frank Marion, has been brought on to oversee day-to-day operations, streamlining the flow on-site and improving how items are collected and disposed of. New, less labor-intensive machines have been introduced, freeing up staff to provide more assistance to residents.
The facility has seen the introduction of new equipment, including a refurbished compactor and self-contained units for plastics, cardboard, and paper, as well as roofed recycling containers for tin and glass. A new office with amenities, a propane tank storage unit, and a battery storage container have been added. Visually, the facility has been upgraded with fresh paint and new signage, replacing cumbersome jersey barriers with railings. An ADA compliant ramp has also been installed for improved accessibility. Additionally, a previously unusable 10,000 square feet area has been repurposed into an "RTF village" for commodities and fundraising groups.
What's Next? Your Voice Matters
The creation of the RTF Enterprise Fund will be revisited at the Special Town Meeting this Fall 2025. Leading up to this crucial vote, the Select Board is holding additional public forums to provide detailed information and gather feedback from citizens. One such forum was held on August 18, 2025, and another is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, at 6:30 p.m. at the Paul Pratt Memorial Library.
While current All-Facilities stickers remain valid through March 2026, the proposed increase in pay-per-throw bag fees to $2/$4 could go into effect as early as September 1, 2025, following a Select Board vote.
Residents are strongly encouraged to review all available information on the Town of Cohasset website, attend the upcoming forums, and contact the Town Manager or Select Board with any questions or concerns. Your active participation is vital as Cohasset makes this significant decision about the future of its Recycling Transfer Facility.
Sources for this story include: The Town of Cohasset RTF materials, the Cohasset Anchor, 143TV coverage of the August 18 Forum, and South Shore News.
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