During the Northeast Kingdom Waste District (NEKWMD) budget hearing

During the Northeast Kingdom Waste District (NEKWMD) budget hearing on November 12, waste haulers raised concerns about a proposed surcharge increase of $2.75 per ton, bringing the total to $29.50. Smaller waste haulers said they operate on tight margins, and the 10 percent increase would create significant challenges. The draft 2025 budget proposes an 8.8 percent increasing in spending to $1.03 million, primarly due to staff pay raises and a new full-time staff position. It also includes costs for replacing retiring NEKWMD Executive Director Paul Tomasi and replacing two box trucks with leased vehicles. Recent legislation allows the NEKWMD Board of Supervisors to adopt the budget without a vote.