Business is booming at the Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District. Both municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction, demolition and bulk (CBD) waste show a substantial increase for the first quarter of this year over last, according to Operations Manager Steve Lewis.

CDB is 200 tons higher and municipal solid waste is up by 60 tons. Lewis updated the BRRDD trustees about the increase during the April 14 meeting. Lewis attributed the increase to the mild winter.

In other business, the trustees authorized the purchase of a 2016 Dodge Ram 3/4-ton truck. The trustees voted unanimously to purchase the truck from Newcastle Dodge for at most $32,000. The truck comes with a plow.

Last month, the trustees directed Lewis to shop for a used pick-up truck. But Lewis wasn’t able to find an inexpensive used truck. He discovered used trucks were almost as expensive as new ones. Lewis found a 2013 Chevy with a plow for $29,000.

“If you’re going to spend that kind of money then you might as well buy new,” Lewis said.

A new vehicle has several advantages over used ones, according to Lewis. The BRRDD receives a municipal discount when purchasing a new truck which also comes with a manufacturer’s  warranty. Newcastle Dodge has ordered the truck and Lewis expects to receive it in the next five to six weeks.

Lewis also announced the refuse district’s summer hours were in effect. The transfer station is open six days a week, closed Sundays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 15 to October 15.

The trustees will meet next at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 12 in the BRRDD business office in Boothbay.