The Hudson Board of Selectmen voted unanimously at its most recent meeting to begin exploring a potential long-term partnership for the Town’s Transfer Station, following the receipt of a single proposal submitted through a formal request for proposals process. Officials emphasized that the effort is still in its earliest stages and that any final agreement would require extensive review, negotiation, permitting, and voter approval.
Director of Development Services Elvis Dhima told the Board that staff began pursuing partnership opportunities earlier this summer after receiving authorization in June.
“In June of 2026, the Board of Selectmen authorized staff to pursue partnership opportunities for the existing transfer station,” Dhima said. “A request for proposals was prepared and advertised. In addition, staff reached out to four vendors, including Waste Management and Casella Waste Systems. On July 27, 2026, the Town received one proposal from SMS Services, Inc.”
Dhima said the proposal from SMS Services, Inc. outlines several conceptual components for the Town to evaluate. These include SMS assuming operational responsibility for the transfer station, operating it at its own expense, and potentially expanding public access from the current limited schedule to as many as six days per week. The proposal also includes environmental review, master planning, structural upgrades, installation of a waste scale, traffic management, and multiple revenue generating possibilities such as land lease payments and revenue sharing.
Dhima stressed that all of these ideas are preliminary. “At this time, these items are conceptual and would require additional review, negotiation, permitting, and future Board approval before any final agreement is executed,” he said.
To help the Board understand the scope of the opportunity, Dhima outlined a three-phase process that would allow the Town to evaluate the proposal responsibly and transparently.
Phase One would focus on conceptual review and due diligence. Dhima said this step would authorize the Town Administrator, Development Services Director, and Public Works Director to work with SMS on a conceptual framework for a potential partnership. Staff would identify possible agreement terms, evaluate financial and operational benefits, and review site constraints. They would also map out all local, state, and federal permit requirements and evaluate traffic, environmental, stormwater, groundwater, wetlands, building, zoning, landfill closure, and operational considerations.
Phase Two would involve Board review and preparation of a warrant article. Once conceptual terms and permitting pathways are better understood, staff would return to the Board with an update and recommendation. If the Board decides the opportunity should move forward, a warrant article would be placed on the March 2027 Town Meeting ballot seeking voter approval for a long-term lease. Dhima said the proposed structure would be a 30year lease, with the Board authorized to extend it for up to an additional 10 years.
Phase Three would involve final agreement, permitting, design, and revenue structure. If voters approve the warrant article, the Town would begin final negotiations and prepare a formal agreement. This phase would finalize the lease, revenue streams, revenue sharing formulas, operational responsibilities, insurance, indemnification, environmental protections, permit conditions, design requirements, construction obligations, public access, and any required Board approvals.
Implementation would occur only after all permits and design details are completed and approved.
Dhima said the phased approach “allows the Town to evaluate the proposal in a responsible manner without committing to a final agreement before the financial, legal, operational, and permitting issues are fully understood.”
After discussion, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to authorize the Town Administrator, Development Services Director, and Public Works Director to work with SMS Services, Inc. on a conceptual framework for a potential landfill/transfer station partnership and to return to the Board with a recommendation for further action.
