Weekly Recycling Could Start July 16 [Poll]

The Board of Health learned on Tuesday that the move from biweekly to weekly curbside in the coming fiscal year — which starts July 1 — would cost an additional $38,000.

The Hiltz trash and recycling contract would increase from the current $532,000 to $570,000 in Fiscal 2013 — July 1 to June 30.

The proposal needs only the town administrator's signature to take effect on July 16, said Jeff Vaughan, the town's director of public health.

Residents have lobbied for weekly recycling in town since the new waste reduction program took effect last October.

The first phase of the program limited residents to three barrels of trash.

Starting July 16, the program moves to its remaining phase —  a two-barrel limit per household. 

The town's budgeted amount for trash and recycling in the coming year would fund the weekly pick-up of recycled materials.

Board of Health member Lawrence Block said earlier that the waste reduction program would after its first full year result in considerable savings — projected at about $96,000 — and make weekly recycling possible in 2013.

On Tuesday board members were happy that the price of the additional pick-up of recycled materials, $38,000, was less than anticipated.

"That's pretty good for the money," Chairman Martha Dansdill said.