Transfer Station FAQs

What are the hours of the transfer station?
Where is the transfer station located?
What is the difference between a transfer station sticker and a transfer station coupon?
Is there a cost for the stickers and coupons?
Can I pay for the coupons at the transfer station?
What forms of payment are accepted?
If I don’t use the full amount of the coupon, can I get a refund?
Are the expiration dates on the stickers and coupons?
Where can I obtain the stickers and coupons?
When did the sticker/coupon method go into affect?
Why did the Town choose the coupon method?
Why have the prices increased so much?
Is there a list of acceptable items that can be taken to the transfer station available to residents?
Are there any items that are free to the Transfer Station?
Can I bring household hazardous waste and/or electronics to the transfer station?
Why do I have to pay for brush and lawn clippings?
Can I take my household garbage to the transfer station and how much does it cost?
Why doesn’t the Town have curbside pickup for larger items like couches, stoves, refrigerators, etc?

What are the hours of the transfer station?
The hours for the transfer station are listed here.

Where is the transfer station located?
It is located on Old Waterbury Road just past the Thomaston Dog Pound.

What is the difference between a transfer station sticker and a transfer station coupon?
A dump sticker (which is currently blue in color) proves that you are a town resident, allowing you to use the transfer station.  It is usually placed on the driver’s side windshield so it is visible to the transfer station attendant.  Otherwise, without a sticker, residents from other towns might try to use the transfer station on the Thomaston taxpayer’s dime.  When requesting a dump sticker, you will need proof of residency, which is usually your license, as well as your plate number for tracking. The dump coupons are bought in amounts according to what you have to dispose of.

Is there a cost for the stickers and coupons?
There is no cost for the sticker.  Coupons are purchased according to what you have to dispose of and come in denominations of $5, $20 and $50.  The amount you will need depends on the amount and type of material you are disposing of.  An item/price list is posted on the web site for your convenience.

Can I pay for the coupons at the transfer station? 
No, only contractors, once they have been issued a building permit, can pay by check at the transfer station.

What forms of payment are accepted? 
Cash or check (made payable to the Town of Thomaston).

If I don’t use the full amount of the coupon, can I get a refund? 
No. Depending on which coupons are purchased (either the $20 or $50 ones), the transfer station attendant will be able to punch out the exact amount used and, if there is a remaining balance, will give the card back for future use.

Are the expiration dates on the stickers and coupons? 
The stickers are good for a two-year period (the current blue one is good until Dec., 2008), at which time a new sticker in a new color will be available.  The coupons do not have an expiration date.

Where can I obtain the stickers and coupons? 
The stickers and coupons can be obtained either in the First Selectman’s Office Monday through Friday during regular business hours (or in the Treasurer’s Office during lunch hour) or at the Opera House Box Office on Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

When did the sticker/coupon method go into affect? 
It was approved by the Board of Selectmen in July, 2005.

Why did the Town choose the coupon method? 
It was recommended by the Town auditors that certain controls of handling money be addressed and this was the most effective way of doing so.

Why have the prices increased so much? 
The charges passed on to the residents are the same charges that the Town pays to dispose of the tonnage to Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority.

Is there a list of acceptable items that can be taken to the transfer station available to residents?
Yes, you can download one from our website or you can obtain one from the First Selectman’s/Treasurer’s Office.

Are there any items that are free to the Transfer Station? 
Yes.  Used motor oil, car batteries, leaves (in brown biodegradable bags) and cardboard, as long as it is bundled in 2’ x 2’ stacks and tied.

Can I bring household hazardous waste and/or electronics to the transfer station?
No.  However, the Town, being a part of the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (COG) sponsors drop off days at various locations in the district for these types of items at no charge to the resident.  You only need to provide proof of residency, usually your driver’s license.  Drop off dates and times and a list of the acceptable/non-acceptable items will be listed on the website and in the local paper.

Why do I have to pay for brush and lawn clippings? 
You pay for brush and lawn clippings to defray the cost of grinding the brush pit.  The D.E.P. does not allow us to burn it anymore.

Can I take my household garbage to the transfer station and how much does it cost? 
It will cost $5 for 3-5 bags of garbage.  However, household garbage is taken weekly by curbside pickup free of charge.

Why doesn’t the Town have curbside pickup for larger items like couches, stoves, refrigerators, etc?
The Town Highway Department does not have enough staff or time for this large cleanup and it would be very costly to pay an independent hauler to do it.