Over the next month and into November, as Manager of your Mid-Coast Solid Waste transfer facility, I and a representative of ecomaine will be meeting with the public and our member select boards to discuss the benefits of a “yes” vote on November 8 for the proposed ecomaine contract recommended by the Board of Mid-Coast Solid Waste.

This proposal evolved as a compromise after voters in three of our four towns turned down a 20-year commitment with ecomaine.

The compromise provides a sufficient level of surety to those on both sides of the issue. The result is a three-year contract with two one year re-up options, which would allow MCSW to evaluate the performance and viability of other proposed options which may be available to us at the end of this term in Hampden.

This compromise also protects MCSW from the risks so frequently associated with startup projects and it does so at the least overall cost of all the proposals on the table. This is achieved by a tip fee of $57.85 per ton, the lowest tip fee offered by 11 vendors, albeit for a limited period.

Even with additional hauling requirements during the term of this contract, our cost would be the lowest possible should we approve working with ecomaine for our waste processing needs as recommended.

Ecomaine has been reducing the volume of the trash it processes by 90 percent while generating electricity in its waste-to-energy facility since 1989.

It generates enough electricity to power its operations plus up to 15,000 homes annually. The company also operates single-sort recycling facility in Portland near the jetport.

Originally founded under the Regional Waste Systems (RWS) in 1976, the community-owned and operated 501(c)3 nonprofit was reorganized and renamed to ecomaine 10 years ago to better reflect its ISO 14001 certified environmental commitment and mission.

That mission remains today: to provide comprehensive long-term solid waste solutions in a safe, environmentally responsible, economically sound manner, and be a leader in raising public awareness of sustainable waste management strategies.

Since then, ecomaine’s extensive education and outreach programming has become a cornerstone service for schools, transfer facility operators, businesses, and member community residents alike.

MCSW will be able to avail itself to all of ecomaine’s programs; including application for school recycling grants valued at up to $5,000 each, participation in the ecomaine eco-excellence awards, waste-reduction programs in schools, facility tours, and more.

Please plan to attend any of the following scheduled meetings in each of our four towns:

Oct. 11, 7 p.m., Rockport Select Board, at the Rockport Opera House

Oct. 24,   6 p.m., Lincolnville Select Board, at the Lincolnville Town Office

Oct. 25,  6 p.m.,  Hope Select Board, at Hope Town Office

Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m.,  Camden Select Board, at Washington Street Conference Room

If you or your organization would prefer another time or venue, please call me at 236-2467 to discuss.

Thank you very much for educating yourself on this matter. I believe you will find the compromise reached is in the greatest good for our community.

James Guerra is manager of the Mid-Coast Solid Waste Corporation