Politics & Government
Trash Pick-up and Recycling Hearing Tonight
The Board of Health will accept public comments tonight on a plan to limit free pick-up of trash containers to three per household.
The Board of Health proposesto encourage recycling.
The first step would take effect Oct. 1 and allow free disposal of up to three trash containers per household each week.
The second step would take effect July 2012. Households would be allowed free disposal of two trash containers.
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In either case, residents who exceed the limit would need to buy a sticker to have the additional trash picked up.
The plan would need approval by the Board of Selectmen.
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Board Chairman Matt Strauss opposes charging people fees for throwing out trash, arguing that residents already pay taxes for trash pick-up.
"I can't get beyond the fee," he told selectmen last week.
Board of Health members say the plan will boost recycling and save money.
Members Larry Bloch and Martha Dansdill said at their last meeting that the plan would save the town an estimated $80,000 per year on its current trash contract with Hiltz waste disposal.
That does not count the money the town has already saved by payment terms with Hiltz earlier this month, or the additional savings that would be realized if the restriction drops to two containers next year.
Tonight's public hearing is scheduled for 6:15 at Town Hall in selectmen's chambers, according to the town website.
