Janna Day, 83, of East Boothbay has lived in East Boothbay "on and off" since she was 7. Like her mother, she is an avid "picker": One who picks through debris at the local transfer station. She visits the "dump" frequently and what she saw last July made her want to take a closer look at the overall operation.

She complained to local municipal officials about an onsite "massive demolition pile." Her concern ultimately reached the Maine Department of Environmental Protection agency which investigated on July 18, and ruled the debris pile presented no health violations.

In recent months, Day has continued her interest in the transfer station's operation. In September, she attended the Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District's directors meeting. A month later, on Oct. 9, she presented the board with her observations. "I had spoken to them, and they asked me to offer my recommendations," Day said after the Oct. 9 meeting.

In her report, one of her early observations was the district needed more land for expansion. She also advocated hiring more workers or enlisting volunteers. "You need a trouble-shooter or a go-fer. Somebody who can direct people going the wrong way and correct them to the right direction," she said.

Day also favored an employee lounge and better public restroom facilities. "A new bathroom or more rooms. I like T&D Variety. It's a joy to go into their bathroom. It's a joy to go into Hawke Motors. It's not a joy to go here," she said.

In other action, the directors approved purchasing 11 new uniform sets for $12,000 from Cintas. Station Manager William Johnson reported the uniform package includes a short and long sleeve shirt, and a pair of Carhartt pants. The deal also includes changing out two rugs on a regular basis.

Johnson also recommended hiring another transfer station worker. He described the transfer station as being short-handed and Giles Rubbish also needed more labor. He proposed hiring a laborer with a CDL license who could work part-time at the transfer station and Giles. "I have no backup at Giles and I'm filling in over there," Johnson said. "We also have a couple guys over retirement age here (transfer station) so I think it's a good idea to hire someone now." Directors voted 4-0 to seek another transfer station employee. Johnson also provided an update on the solar panel situation.

Last month, he reported a past decision to remove solar panels from a building resulted in the district facing an early contract termination penalty. Johnson spent the last month seeking an alternative path to avoid potential penalties. He reported ReVision Energy offered to sell the solar panels for $6,000 to avoid monthly contracted charges owed the power company. Selectmen tabled the proposal and directed Johnson to seek other cheaper solutions.

Directors balked at changing an agreement with Coastal Redemption. Under the current agreement, the transfer station sells bottles for 4 cents and plastic containers for 5 cents. "Stanley Barter of Coastal Redemption said It wasn't cost effective for him so he proposed we just give him the bottles or pay him $5,000 for the year," Johnson said.

According to Johnson, returnables net the transfer station $15,000 per year. Directors reached a consensus to reject the offer. Directors meet next at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13 in the business office.