BELGRADE — In an effort to save money, the town has changed the rules for dumping old lumber and debris at the transfer station.

Town Manager Gregory Gill said the town is losing money because of rate increases to haul the material to Waste Management of Maine, Inc. in Norridgewock.

The disposal of that type of waste jumped from $3,600 in 2009 to $11,017 in 2010. Last year, the town decided against doing anything with its waste wood because of the cost.

He said the cost will be cut in half with the new changes.

“Instead of throwing it on the ground, we’re putting it into 50-yard (containers), it’s less handling of the material,” Gill said Friday. “Also, the maximum length of it will only be 4 feet, so the load will be better and have less air space in the roll-off (containers).”

He said it costs the town $225 to haul each container to Norridgewock.

“The more we can get into the containers, the less trips we have to make,” he said.

Gill said selectmen considered buying a surplus backhoe from the state, which could be used to smash down loads of debris at the transfer station. But the backhoes the state intends to put up for sale need too many repairs, he said.

Selectmen are looking into a lease-purchase agreement, he said, and it all depends on what the cost will be.

“A backhoe also could be used at the cemetery. We have anywhere from 20 to 35 burials a year right now and it costs us $150 for each one,” he said.

Mechele Cooper — 621-5663

mcooper@centralmaine.com