Public Works Director Jay Twardosky attended the September meeting of the Hudson Sustainability Advisory Committee to update members on recent developments at the Hudson Transfer Station and the town’s partnership with Casella Waste Systems. His presentation addressed resident concerns, new contact information, and upcoming changes to waste and composting procedures.
According to Twardosky, Casella recently adopted a new customer service phone number after receiving multiple complaints from Hudson residents about difficulties reaching the company.
“When Casella was switching things over, their other 1-800 number was having some problems, and people weren’t able to get through,” said Twardosky. “So, they added this other number: 800-227-3552. The other number still does work, but Casella prefers you use this one.”
Twardosky also reminded residents that the Department of Public Works (DPW) Transfer Station still has the 2025 Solid Waste Brochure available for anyone with questions about Hudson’s waste disposal policies.
Sustainability Committee Chair Ed Thompson noted that the Transfer Station will be fully open on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“Any Saturday from eight to noon, residents can drop off metal, cut-up cardboard, and yard waste without using a Transfer Station pass,” Thompson added.
The Transfer Station will resume regular operations at the end of November. The final hazardous waste collection event of 2025 is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Nashua Park and Ride.
Under New Hampshire law, lithium-ion batteries cannot be thrown away and must be dropped off at participating retailers such as Staples. Twardosky emphasized the importance of proper disposal, especially for devices with embedded batteries.
“What a lot of people don’t realize is that a lot of items like vape pens have lithium-ion batteries, and they’re not removable. That whole unit has to get recycled; it cannot go in the trash,” he said.
Committee member Deb Putnam asked about public outreach efforts regarding lithium-ion battery disposal.
“Will the HCTV team, or will you work with the HCTV team to create a new slide specifically covering the vape pens?” Putnam asked.
Twardosky agreed to speak with Director of Community Media Mike Johnson to update the HCTV outreach program. He cited light-up shoes and greeting cards as other examples of items with embedded batteries.
“Everything like that has a lithium-ion battery,” he said. “You don’t want to damage the battery; that’s the last thing you want to do.”
Twardosky warned that lithium-ion batteries pose a serious fire hazard if improperly disposed of.
The committee also discussed its role in Hudson’s yard waste composting initiative. The plan begins with the removal of an existing yard waste pile and will evolve into a more structured composting program.
“Over the winter, DPW and this committee need to come up with the rules,” Twardosky explained. “The committee will be in charge of the PR and present it to the public. We’ll have signs at the Transfer Station stating everything that’s in the compost – there’s going to be some people asking.”
A dedicated page on the town website will list all organic matter included in the composting plan. The Sustainability Committee will also help shape related policies.
Currently, DPW is focused on removing a large pile of yard waste that has accumulated at the Transfer Station.
“We don’t know how good that has composted yet,” said Twardosky. “I’ve estimated about 6,000 yards in that pile.”
He was unsure how much of the material was fully compostable. Mayer Tree Service has been contracted to screen the yard waste in mid-to-late October.
