SAUGUS — Article 34, sponsored by Precinct 2 Town Meeting member Elizabeth Marchese, will bring to the floor a possible non-binding resolution regarding a Host Community Agreement with WIN Waste.
An HCA is a legally binding contract outlining certain conditions, stipulations, and responsibilities for an applicant operating in a community.
In 2022, after approximately 20 months of negotiations, the Board of Selectmen approved an HCA in a 3-2 vote, with current Selectmen Anthony Cogliano and Jeff Cicolini and former Selectman Corinne Riley voting yes, and current Selectmen Debra Panetta and Michael Serino voting no.
However, the agreement is on Town Manager Scott Crabtree’s desk and has yet to be signed, leaving it in limbo for multiple years now.
Marchese has introduced the possibility of reviving the HCA or starting negotiations for a new one on the floor of Town Meeting, with the goal of benefiting the town if WIN were to receive state approval to expand.
The article states that if the landfill were to get approval for expansion, from 50 feet to 100 feet, the town “may be eligible to receive substantial host community payments, mitigation funding, and tipping fee revenues associated with such operations.”
It continues that the town could receive approximately $1.9 million annually in revenue and related benefits through the HCA associated with the facility.
If the town were not to create an HCA with WIN, it would not receive the possible compensation available.
The article also outlines the actions that would be expected of Crabtree during negotiations that would involve either signing the old HCA that was already voted for, or reopening negotiations with WIN to reach a new HCA, “ensuring the Town of Saugus receives appropriate financial compensation, mitigation payments, and other community benefits should the Commonwealth approve any expansion of the ash landfill facility.”
The article also highlights a public status report by Crabtree or the Board of Selectmen to Town Meeting or to a public meeting of the Board within 90 days, outlining the current negotiation status, the general financial framework under consideration, any obstacles preventing the execution of the agreement, and an anticipated timeline.
The article notes that not pursuing the HCA and losing the potential $1.9 million would increase financial pressure on taxpayers and limit the town’s ability to fund essential municipal services.
