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The host agreement between Lunenburg County and Meridian Waste spells out what is and isn’t required. This was put together as part of the deal when Meridian took over the landfill. A benefit for residents is that they get trash picked up for free. That same benefit doesn’t apply to companies, however. And that’s causing the budget to spike, especially in Kenbridge. 

As we mentioned last week, for this proposed budget, one of the biggest year-over-year increases for the Town of Kenbridge came in the street department. For the current budget year, Kenbridge budgeted $337,259 for the street department. For the proposed budget, Kenbridge has $400,575 budgeted. That $63,316 increase includes the cost of Kenbridge paying for commercial trash collection.

“The host agreement between RWG5 (a subsidiary of Meridian Waste Virginia) and Lunenburg County specifically states that the residents of Lunenburg County – including the residents of Kenbridge and Victoria – receive free disposal at the convenience centers or landfill for non-hazardous municipal solid waste,” said Mary O’Brien. She works as the chief marketing officer for Meridian Waste. The deal she’s referring to excludes some items like tires and mattresses. 

“Meridian Waste services the convenience centers and disposes of the residential non-hazardous waste for no charge,” she added. 

What about commercial collection in Kenbridge? 

As for commercial collection, previously it had been up to the individual companies. Meridian Waste had worked with several businesses and each one paid directly for service and disposal, O’Brien said. But then things changed. Over the last few years, the towns in Lunenburg County have started offering commercial collection as part of their garbage pickup. As a result, the towns have become “legally responsible for the cost of disposal fees as commercial waste does not qualify for free disposal,” O’Brien said. 

She added that Meridian Waste brought this to the attention of the two towns and has enforced the payment of disposal for commercial groups.
So that’s where things currently stand. Originally paid for by individual companies, the commercial trash pickup was then folded into the Town of Kenbridge’s garbage pickup. Meridian has informed the town that the free pickup offered to residents does not extend to businesses, so that leaves Kenbridge to absorb the cost for the coming budget. 

Budget goes to a vote 

Now we’ve entered June and it’s time for a public hearing and vote on the town budget. Kenbridge is looking at an increased general fund budget of $1.462 million, compared to this year’s $1.39 million. The public hearing for this proposed budget is set for Tuesday, June 17, starting at 6:50 p.m.

The increases will take effect during the new cycle beginning July 1, 2025 and running through June 30, 2026. Kenbridge Town Manager Tony Matthews encouraged residents with additional questions about the budget to reach out to the Kenbridge Town Office at 434-676-2452. You can also go online to our website to read some of our previous stories on the Kenbridge budget.