The Francestown Select Board approved a $200,000 emergency expenditure Monday to repair the recent hazardous materials leak at the transfer station, $46,000 higher than the initial figure proposed by Town Administrator Jamie Pike.

A mercury spill in the operations shed was found Aug. 8. The facility will need a new concrete floor as well as rodent mitigation from an existing issue in the pipes beneath the structure. Costs also include labor expenses and any contingencies not covered by insurance related to the nine individuals with exposure to the high levels of mercury. 

“I put together a budget, I think I said it before, but it's kind of like throwing darts at a dartboard,” said Pike.

The funds will come from the town’s unassigned fund balance, which has a balance of $1.4 million. The request to use these funds must go through the Department of Revenue Administration.

“The feeling was this would be the least impact to the town taxpayers and tax rate in order to address the  situation at hand and not impact future budgets,” Select Board Chairman Scot Heath said.

The transfer station closed after the mercury was found, but it now open regular hours Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The compactor is not in use, and residents should put their household trash in the open-top dumpster or construction and demolition dumpster. The “free room” is closed, and there  is no collection of electroni  c waste or items containing  mercury.

Due to capacity restrictions, residents  are also asked to avoid bringing large items such as furniture unless necessary.