Maidstone Transfer station, Courtesy Maidstone
The Maidstone transfer station will close Nov. 1 after a net cost of $38,222 to Town ratepayers last year, the Town of Maidstone said.
Saturday, Oct. 31, is the last day to drop off garbage. The Town and the Rural Municipality (RM) of Eldon jointly own the site.
In written answers to BorderPulse, the Town said the site cost $63,389 to run in 2025. The RM contributed an $8,000 grant, and other revenue added $17,167. That left $38,222 for Town ratepayers.
The Town said 2024 ended with a deficit of $35,207.
Town council decided to close the site at its Oct. 13 meeting, the Town said. The RM passed a resolution the next day.
The Town said it told the RM about the costs and the imbalance. The RM replied that the current model is not sustainable and it would stop the annual $8,000 grant, according to the Town.
The Town also reviewed how the site was used. It issued 779 revenue receipts in 2025, to 235 people. The Town has 1,209 residents and the RM has 700.
Ten people used the site 10 times or more, the Town said. The top five users accounted for 168 receipts. The top three, all RM residents, accounted for 122.
Another 104 people used the site once, and 51 used it twice. The Town called that a very small share of residents.
The Town said it did not issue receipts for free items such as compost and recyclables, so those drop-offs are not counted.
The site’s hours were set to change to Saturdays only after Oct. 31. The Town said that made it a natural time to pause.
Residents can take bulky items, metal and yard waste to Wilton, Lloydminster or Battleford, the Town said. It did not list fees.
The Town said the site operator is a paid position. It said curbside collection is not connected to the site and will not change.
The Town expects the Loraas transfer station account to finish under budget, with one November pickup and none in December. The proposed 2026 budget listed $40,000 for that contract. The Town offered to share final numbers after the 2026 audit.
Four people visited the Town office with questions and one phoned, the Town said. It said none were complaints. Questions have also appeared in a community Facebook group, including where large items will go.
The Town and the RM will review the closure’s impact in the spring, the Town said. They will weigh reopening the site or alternatives such as occasional garbage round-ups.
Maidstone council’s Oct. 27 agenda includes setting a date for a Public Engagement Night. It would be open to all community members, the Town said.
Read More: Collision closes 16 near Maidstone
