While representatives from Carver, Wareham, and Marion agreed to a “skeletal district” at a recent meeting, it will still be several more months before an agreement between the three towns can be finalized.
Representatives of the three towns approved “in principle” an agreement drawn up by the Carver Marion Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District attorney Tom Crotty at the January 29 meeting. The agreement will leave a “skeleton” district, only operating to manage ongoing pensions and liabilities. Representatives from the member towns are planning to bring the agreement to each town’s Town Meeting, seeking the approval of town voters.
There are still some points to work out before the agreement is formally finalized, however. One part of the draft that Crotty presented proposed returning to each town what it had paid into the district over the previous year. In 2019, Wareham paid $188,000 into the district, Wareham paid $121,000, and Marion paid $53,000.
The idea of paying back contributions caused some concern, however, as the district’s full and ongoing liabilities are not yet entirely clear. Carver Town Administrator Mike Milanoski pitched the idea of holding on to a minimum reserve of funds, as did Marion Selectman John Waterman.
“Let’s say, for example, not less than $250,000, to plan for future liabilities,” Waterman suggested.
There was general agreement to this idea from all representatives. “Okay,” Crotty said. “Let’s just hold onto the cash, let it dwindle down to cover our expenses, and in another thirty years someone can take another look.”
The topic turned to what to do with the distributions in 30 years – how should they be distributed once all expenses and liabilities are paid out in the future?
“I’m not sure why we’re spending time debating this,” Waterman pointed out. “I doubt that at that point there will even be very much left.”
“Well, the potential is there that there could be money to return,” Crotty countered.
“We’re fine with that (scenario), as long as all of the liabilities have been covered,” said Marion Town Administrator Jay McGrail.
With that, the members of the district approved the agreement documents in principle, with a finalized signing at a meeting on February 12, at the Marion Town House. Attorney Crotty noted that he would bring an updated copy of the agreement to the meeting for official approval and sign-offs from all town representatives on the district.
Marion Carver Wareham Regional Refuse District
By Andrea Ray