BIDDEFORD — Since Biddeford established curbside recycling last July, fewer residents are using the city’s transfer station.

As a result, about two months ago, the city council voted to reduce the number of hours the facility is open. However, since the change was implemented, councilors have said they have received a number of complaints about the reduced hours, and many have said they would like changes made in response.

Earlier this month, Councilor Roger Hurtubise said he’s received many complaints about the reduced hours and suggested increasing the number of days the facility is open.

Councilor President John McCurry said he’s also received complaints and would like to see a change in hours.

Not all were so quick to react.

Councilor Michael Ready said the new hours have only been in place for a short time, and he would like the city to “give them a chance” before making any drastic changes.

Public Works Director Guy Casavant said he doesn’t plan to increase the number of hours the transfer station is open, however, he does intend to make some “tweaks” to the current schedule, which he hopes will address the complaints that have been made.

“We’re taking feedback,” he said, adding that based on a population of approximately 21,000, “the number of complaints is small.”

Casavant said the council voted to reduce the number of days the transfer station was open from seven to five, and reduce the number of hours from 66 to 40. It is left to the discretion of the public works director to set the hours of operation based on the parameters set by the council.

Currently, the transfer station is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

With such a reduction in hours, said Casavant, “you’re going to create some inconvenience.”

However, he noted, that even with the reduced time the facility is open, the hours of operation are more than similar facilities in surrounding communities.

Casavant added that the complaints regarding the new hours for the transfer station need to be balanced with some of the positive aspects of the changes that have taken place since the introduction of curbside recycling.

A big plus, he said, is that there has been a significant reduction in the solid waste budget.

That budget was reduced by more than $230,000 from the current budget that ends June 30 to the one beginning July 1.

Casavant said he believes the solid waste budget is the only one in the city to have such a significant decrease.

The reduction of hours at the transfer station, along with other changes brought about by the recycling program, “helps control the (property tax) rate,” he said.

Changes to the hours of operation for the transfer station will be announced in the next two or three weeks, said Casavant.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].