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Somerset pilot composting bin at pool shows early use; committee to assess after season
Summary
Somerset’s environment committee reported the town installed a food‑scraps‑only composting bin at the pool on Sept. 1 as a pilot; staff and lifeguards say it hasn’t been a burden so far, and the committee will evaluate results at season’s end before recommending permanency.
The Somerset Environment Committee confirmed the town began a composting pilot at the municipal pool on Sept. 1, placing a 27‑gallon, food‑scraps‑only bin near the pool kitchen to collect meal waste during the season. Chair David said he visited the site over Labor Day and again during the week and found that “people are seeing the signs, seeing the announcements, and actually using it.”
Committee members raised practical concerns about contamination and pests, prompting the decision to restrict the bin to food scraps only. Ralph asked whether compostable pizza boxes could be collected as well; David replied the initial constraint was chosen to avoid “contamination, quote, unquote, what they call contamination” and to reduce staff burden in a public setting.
David told the committee the lifeguards and pool manager reported light use and no operational problems so far. The committee agreed to run the pilot through the remainder of the season and reassess at the end of September, then decide whether to recommend making the program permanent.
Justin, who will coordinate with pool management, said the plan includes conversations with the pool committee and staff to assess workload and any issues before deciding next steps. The committee also discussed educational outreach to reduce improper disposal and agreed to revisit acceptable materials if the pilot proves successful.
The committee did not take a formal vote; members asked Justin and David to report findings at the next meeting.
