Selectmen balk at PAYT trash fee
Published on November 15th, 2006
STONEHAM, MA - The town's Board of Selectmen declined to take an immediate stance on whether to institute a recommended hybrid pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) trash fee on Tuesday night.
According to Richard Gregorio, a member of the PAYT advisory committee, the panel had endorsed a new hybrid trash fee that would include an annual $90 flat fee coupled with a $2.10 charge for each 33-gallon bag of trash thrown out each week by residents.
The new program, which has been cited by proponents as a fairer way to distribute municipal trash costs, as senior citizens and other low garbage generators dispose of less rubbish than larger families, would replace the controversial $160 charge imposed by the Selectmen last spring.
"I vehemently say that a flat $160 fee is particularly unfair to seniors. I can't see myself paying the same amount as seniors, to me it's unconscionable," Gregorio commented in a recent phone interview. "The current system we have isn't working; it's broken."
The PAYT advisory committee's recommended program structure would include one-free 33-gallon bag of trash, with each container thrown to the curb above that gratis amount costing $2.10.
Unlimited recycling, current hazardous waste and leaf and lawn pick-ups, and the ability to throw out one bulky item a week would continue to cost nothing. Any trash thrown-out in addition to the one-free container would need to be placed in official Town of Stoneham rubbish bags, which would be available for purchase at various supermarkets, hardware stores, and other area businesses.
Last August, PAYT members came before the Selectmen and recommended a different cost structure that would foot the municipality's entire garbage disposal program. Under that budget model, residents would pay an $80 flat fee plus $1 for every 15-gallon bag of trash, or $2 for every 33-gallon container of rubbish. However, according to Gregorio, since the PAYT committee began convening meetings with residents and local PTO, senior citizen, and business groups, the advisory panel received an overwhelming message: We want the town to continue subsidizing trash costs.
Under the current $160 charge, residents cover approximately $950,000 worth of the town's garbage bills, while tax revenues foot the remaining $450,000 share. The PAYT program model presented to the Selectmen on Tuesday night would retain that current cost split.
"One of the things that became evident through our meetings was that the town continue with its subsidy," Gregorio said.
"This program provides one free barrel of trash. The original program didn't include that, so that makes up the difference," the veteran Finance Board member explained, when asked why Tuesday night's recommendation appears higher than the one made in August.
Concerned with one aspect of the proposal, Selectman George Seibold pointed out that if residents threw out three-bags of garbage each week, residents would pay nearly $300 in annual charges, close to twice as much as the present $160 flat fee. Along similar lines, a homeowner or family tossing just one bag of trash to the curb, over and above the free offering, could expect to see an annual bill of $200. In response, proponents of a hybrid PAYT program insisted that residents could easily control such soaring expenses by increasing the amount of material being recycled. In doing so, the town's tonnage of garbage would then subsequently be reduced, likely driving down Stoneham's overall trash costs. To protect surpluses that are generated in circumstances where additional recycling does drive down the trash costs, the PAYT committee advised the Selectmen to establish an enterprise fund.
Town officials would then have to account for every dollar spent and collected, and could not pipe surpluses into the general fund for unrelated municipal costs - as was done a number of years ago when water and sewer surpluses were used to offset a growing budget deficit.
"I have been livid ever since they put a trash fee on my water bill," said one pro-PAYT resident, who didn't identify herself for the record. "I think the participation in our recycling program is horrible in this town. We're subsidizing the trash pick-up for those who don't recycle."
"I was very satisfied with the $160 fee. It was easy," added Elm Street resident Edie Previdi, who also spoke in favor of the new system. "We recycle pretty well, but I know we could do better."
According to Gregorio, he was a little bewildered by the fact that the Selectmen didn't take action on the PAYT committee's recommendation on Tuesday night.
In order for the program to be implemented, which would include not only speaking with trash bag manufacturers, but also setting-up a system of administration and an enforcement strategy for an anticipated jump in illegal dumping, town officials would need at least a few months notice.
"I was surprised by what they did last night by not taking any action. So I guess this thing is tabled. I need basically two months once the decision is made. So if they contacted me after Town Meeting in May, I could get it into effect by FY'08."
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