RTF: Pay More, Get Less
Cohasset’s Special Town Meeting is coming up on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Cohasset High School Gymnasium.
One of the most consequential items on the Warrant is Article 6 — a proposal to create an Enterprise Fund for the Town Recycling Transfer Facility (RTF) under M.G.L. c.44, §53F½, effective January 1, 2026.
At first glance, this may sound like a technical accounting change.
In reality, it could mean higher fees, fewer hours, and less transparency for residents who rely on the RTF.
💰 The Numbers Don’t Add Up
Here’s what the Town has presented:
2025 RTF Budget: $745,431
2026 Proposed RTF Enterprise Fund Budget: $829,400
The Town has suggested that future “retained earnings” would pay for capital improvements, but that requires the RTF to generate profits. Meanwhile, the Equipment & Maintenance line item is just $10,000. The RTF Enterprise Fund Budget does not include the $100,000-$300,000 in annual capital needs mentioned during town meetings.
The Town has been inconsistent in their discussions of indirect shared costs associated with the RTF, stating alternatively they would either be $0 or $200,000. These shared costs are not accounted for in the RTF Enterprise Fund Budget and if they aren’t zero dollars, would have to come from the general fund.
The town had no budget for the RTF this year, but has spent over $100,000 above insurance payments for the fire “reimagining” the RTF.
Any underfunding of the RTF Enterprise Fund will cause the sticker fee to go up drastically.
⚠️ What’s Missing from the Plan
A few key questions remain unanswered:
Why is the town not following best practices? The Department of Local Services recommends a written Enterprise Fund Policy and the adoption of an indirect cost allocation policy.
What counts as a DPW vs. RTF expense? Equipment often overlaps, yet the Town has not clarified which department will carry those costs.
Where will beach maintenance costs go? As proposed, all sticker fees would go into the RTF Enterprise Fund, but there’s no plan to fund beach work like dune management or sand removal.
How will capital needs be funded? Without profits or reserves, residents could see fee increases right away to cover gaps.
⏰ Pay More for Less Access
Despite the rising costs, the RTF already reduced its hours by 100 per year — even as it becomes more automated.
That means paying more and getting less access to a service every household depends on.
And once implemented, the Enterprise Fund model must stay in place for at least three years.
If we get this wrong, we’ll be locked into higher costs and limited flexibility until 2029.
📣 Make Your Voice Heard
This vote isn’t just about trash and recycling — it’s about accountability and transparency in how Cohasset manages taxpayer funds.
Before we create a new fund that charges more but delivers less, residents deserve clear answers and a sustainable plan.
🗓️ Join us at Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the CHS Gymnasium.
Your vote will decide whether the RTF becomes an Enterprise Fund — and whether Cohasset residents pay more for less.
