Westborough approves subsidized PAYT bag program for qualifying seniors, board amends limit to five bags

The Town of Westborough Select Board on June 25 approved a subsidized pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) bag program for qualifying seniors, setting the benefit at five small bags per month for $1 for residents who meet the very-low-income limit tied to Worcester County.

Town staff said the program, modeled on a similar Grafton initiative, will require eligible seniors to apply through the Board of Health and that eligibility will be tied to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) very-low-income threshold for a single-person household (FY24 figure cited in the meeting: $68,500). Christy, the town manager, reported that Grafton has about 53 participants and confirmed distribution logistics are still being finalized.

The board debated program design, asking whether to include large bags and how many small bags to subsidize. Concerns included weekly needs for some seniors and administrative logistics for the Board of Health to distribute bags. Several members recommended starting conservatively and monitoring demand. After amendments and discussion about pricing and distribution timing, the board approved a motion to provide five small bags per month for $1 to approved applicants, require annual re-application, and distribute bags through a monthly pickup process. The vote was by roll call and carried unanimously.

Board members said the program is intended as a measured, evidence-based first step with room to adjust quantities or eligibility criteria if uptake or needs differ from expectations. The policy will be implemented through the public health office, which will coordinate with the town assessor to verify income eligibility.