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Westborough approves grant‑funded coordinator as pay‑as‑you‑throw rollout nears
Summary
The Select Board approved a temporary, grant‑funded part‑time waste management program coordinator to support the town’s transition to pay‑as‑you‑throw, coordinate volunteer wardens, and lead education and enforcement; PAYT permits and stickers will be available beginning June 17.
The Westborough Select Board approved a temporary part‑time waste management program coordinator position June 11 to support the town’s switch to a pay‑as‑you‑throw (PAYT) program. The position — H4 at 19 hours per week — will be fully funded through a state grant and is intended to oversee education, coordinate volunteer wardens, and support enforcement and permit distribution.
Town staff said the vendor contracts and bag pricing have been finalized. "Those bags are contracted with understanding the cost is the same as what was presented and approved by the board, which is a dollar for the small bags, $2 for the larger bags," staff said, explaining permit distribution and retail partners are being finalized and Roach Brothers will sell permits beginning June 17.
Staff showed a sample permit/sticker that will include the year and vehicle registration number and described a secure online portal for permit purchase and validation (photo ID and proof of residency required). The Board of Health amended transfer station regulations that permit the appointment of volunteer wardens as agents to enforce transfer station rules; staff emphasized enforcement will be led by the grant‑funded coordinator and town staff rather than the vendor.
Board discussion noted both support and concerns about enforcement. A board member said vendors, including the hauler currently under contract, have declined to conduct enforcement. "We do not wanna do enforcement," a representative of a vendor was quoted as saying during contract talks, and board members said that leaves enforcement responsibility with the town to keep the transfer station open and reduce costs to taxpayers.
The coordinator position was approved and will be advertised; staff said the role will be used to help consumers navigate reuse and recycling options, manage permit sales, train wardens if volunteers apply, and provide compliance updates to the Board of Health and the Select Board. An information session for residents is scheduled June 18 at 6 p.m. in this room.
