Wiscasset's Town Manager has signed a two-year agreement with Pine Tree Waste, he said Tuesday, following action taken by the selectmen last week.

The agreement is one that was presented at the June 24 selectmen's meeting during which a former selectman, Ben Rines, Jr., urged the board to have it reviewed by the town attorney first. The selectmen did not respond to Rines' request.

Karen McNaughton of Pine Tree Waste presented the agreement, which she said could be declared "null and void" by the town if the town becomes dissatisfied with it. Asked about the fact that the agreement does not say this, Faucher said the June 24 meeting was videotaped, so there should be no problem if the town wants to end the agreement.

The agreement is for single stream recycling, which allows for all items that can be recycled to be put together, rather than separated into bins by category (glass, cardboard, paper, etc.). Not having to separate recyclables makes it easier for residents, and reduces the amount of trash that goes into the "hopper" at the transfer station. What is deposited in the hopper has to be hauled away to an incinerator, a service that is included in taxes paid by property owners.

Although there was some discussion about the town renting the containers for the recyclables, Faucher said this is no longer the case.

The agreement is as follows:

"This two year trial agreement for single stream recycling is effective July 1, 2008 and executed by and between Pine Tree Waste, Inc. a Maine corporation located in West Bath and the town of Wiscasset, a Main municipality located in Lincoln County.

"The following terms of this two-year agreement apply:

Faucher signed the agreement on behalf of the town, and Stuart Axelrod signed on behalf of Pine Tree Waste.

Included on the list of items that can be put into single stream recycling are newspapers, magazines, catalogs, telephone books, soft cover books, direct mail, paper (all colors, staples, paper clips okay) paperboard (cereal/shoe boxes), milk and juice cartons, cardboard, brown paper bags, plastic bottles and containers numbered 1-7, soda/juice/water bottles (glass or plastic) milk jugs, bleach/detergent, shampoo bottles, food containers (cottage cheese/margarine/yogurt), glass bottles and jars (any color), aluminum (pie plates/trays/foil), metal cans (tin/steel/aluminum). All cans must be empty and non-hazardous.

What will not be included in single stream recycling are: plastic bags, food liners, unmarked plastics (laundry baskets/chairs/toys), window glass, mirrors, light bulbs, dishes, Pyrex, ceramics, foam packaging, Styrofoam, hazardous material or universal waste, or recyclables containing food waste.