Right: The DPW’s new collection box is convenient for driving by to drop off your transfer station “mail-in” permit. (Photo from town website)
Department of Public Works has posted to the town website the information you need to get your 2014-15 Transfer Station permits.
They have also provided some helpful tips for the least expensive ways to register.
Don’t forget to register by September 15. After that, a late fee will apply. (Or, as marketed by DPW this year, get it early for a discount!) Click here for the rate sheet.
If you are reading this post, you must have internet access. The easiest way for you to pay may be online. But you should know:
- You can’t register online (despite what is indicated on rate sheet) if you are a senior, have moved here within the last 6 months, or lease your car.
- Credit card payment costs an extra $10 in convenience fees
- Paying by electronic check (providing your bank routing # and checking account # ) only costs an extra 25¢.
For those of you using the “mail in” form:
- If you are eligible to pay online – don’t walk-in the office. That would cost you an extra $20. (Exception – seniors and brand new residents don’t have to pay that fee.)
- For those of you who griped about buying a stamp last year – you don’t have to mail it. You can just drive by and drop it off in their shiny new aluminum collection box. (Please don’t use the black mailbox!)
- Make sure you include copies of all necessary “proofs”. (I’ve been advised that for seniors whose spouse have a different last name, proof should include some kind of proof of marriage.)
Avoiding future costs:
- Apply for your 2nd car at the same time, even if you’re not sure you’ll use it. 2nd permits are included for free with original application. But a $15-25 fee applies if you register at a later time.
- If you change cars during the year, be sure to save the original sticker! (Even if all you manage to scrape off are shavings.) The rules now state:
- A replacement sticker with return of the original sticker is free.
- Replacing the permit for the same license plate # without returning original costs $10.
- If you don’t have the original sticker, plus it is for a new plate #, the cost is $50.*
To read the new regulations, click here.
[*Editor’s Note: I misstated the policy when I covered the June Board of Selectmen meeting. At the time, DPW Director Karen Galligan explained that in that scenario, the permit would be treated as a “third sticker”. I misunderstood, and wrote, as “new sticker”.]
Dear DPW Director Karen Galligan and BOS members,
Please respond to my post from one month ago….. What is the ‘big picture’ plan for the TS? What fresh ideas do you endorse to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of that town space. Refer to the early June postings for other good ideas. https://mysouthborough.com/2014/06/23/transfer-station-minor-changes-this-year-major-changes-down-the-pike/
comments please….
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ORIGINALLY POSTED …. concerned_resident July 3, 2014 at 6:28 AM
Ah, yes…. the perennial issue – what to do about the transfer station policies. You know the great minds of our fair town are working overtime when new ideas are floated about what to do…. we live in vexing times, indeed.
So indulge me and let me weigh in. The ‘shiny object’ question is always ‘permit vs PAYT’. Personally my life is already bursting with time sucking nuisances…. I don’t need even one more like PAYT.
I would suggest that we look at the bigger picture, and I mean literally. Go to Google Map and look at the layout of the ENTIRE transfer station area. While I love trees, I view the TS as a utility area, not a place to picnic. So I would like to see an independent (maybe citizen committee) proposal to better utilize the space. Please lets have Karen Gallagher focus on ‘receiving permit shavings’ and not have myopic viewpoints kill new ideas right off the bat. (seems that any idea that come out of our DPW folks is directly linked to reducing their work, not improving services. Remember that’s why they call it ‘work’).
Cut some trees, move that tiny sheds to a location that would promote better traffic flow (why were they stuffed into the corner of the property?), consider adding other services that ‘visitors’ to our de facto social center would benefit from. Information center, quasi-permanent snack shack…. what a concept… eat a muffin, buy a coke and have proceeds go to reduce sticker prices for retired folks. But mostly EXPAND the Swap Shop space… better partition items … good kid toys and furnishings, household items, electronics, decorations, books, and even a clothing consignment shop — no item more than $2. etc. Finally we really should be better connecting with outside charities to transition some useful stuff…. especially baby and kids items for young families who are struggling in the Metrowest area. You can see them out there right? I can. Oh, also, how about a robust ‘virtual swap shop’ volunteer managed that ties it all together….. This TS of ours is an important ‘de facto’ glue that holds us together. ….