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Residents press Westerly council to enforce recycling rules and study cell coverage in rural coves
Summary
Speakers urged the town to enforce existing recycling ordinances and improve transfer-station oversight, and one councilor requested an update on cell coverage in the Watch Hill/Avondale area as a public-safety issue.
Resident Terry Stern told the council he sees widespread noncompliance with local recycling ordinances and said contamination at the transfer station leads to rejected loads. Stern urged improved transfer-station controls, camera monitoring and more enforcement for businesses and residences.
Councilors acknowledged the problem and discussed the limits of current voluntary recycling programs. The town manager said while there are ordinances requiring recycling capacity alongside outdoor trash containers, recycling is voluntary and there are challenges with downstream markets and contamination. Councilors suggested staff follow up on enforcement and consider clearer application processes for volunteer committees.
Separately, a councilor raised long-standing poor cell coverage in Watch Hill and Apponaug/Avondale as a public-safety concern. The manager said the town has had ongoing conversations with carriers who lease tower space and that staff would compile an update on potential new sites and antenna upgrades.
