Groton — Effective Sept. 1, the cost of an annual permit for the Residential Transfer Station will increase from $80 to $140, while a daily pass will increase from $20 to $25.

The yearly permit or daily pass is for those delivering brush or bulky waste, like construction debris, furniture or "oversized household goods." Public Works Director Gary Schneider noted that all other fees — like for appliances — will remain the same.

Convened as the Groton Resource Recovery Authority, the Town Council voted unanimously on the increase on Wednesday evening.

Town Manager John Burt said the fees are increasing as a result of complaints over a potential reduction in hours. Without the fee increase, he said, transfer station hours would've been reduced from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, to 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday through Saturday, and one staff member would have been laid off.

"I think this is great to try, because I had a lot of people talk to me about it," Councilor Lian Obrey said.

Burt suggested the Resource Recovery Authority meet again in the fall to assess the status of annual permits. He said the town sells about 900 annual permits per year and noted that the fees haven't been increased since the fiscal year 2012-13 budget.