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Brentwood sets default carts for automated trash program, approves fee for extra bins
Summary
The Brentwood Select Board on Feb. 24 recommended a default of a 95-gallon recycling cart and a 65-gallon trash cart for an automated collection proposal to go before voters, approved a rental fee for additional 65-gallon bins, and established an opt-down and outreach process ahead of Town Meeting.
The Brentwood Select Board voted Feb. 24 to recommend that town meeting voters adopt a default setup for automated curbside collection of one 95-gallon recycling cart and one 65-gallon trash cart per household and approved a rental fee for additional 65-gallon bins.
Board members said the defaults reflect a balance between household needs and operator recommendations. Select Board member (S1) moved the recommendation and the motion was seconded and adopted by the three-member quorum present. Public commenters and board members discussed storage and access concerns for residents, especially older adults and households with limited space.
Casella, the town's proposed hauler, had advised that recycling be handled with larger containers because recycling is collected every two weeks while trash is collected weekly. Town staff said households will be able to request a different size before delivery by completing a form or contacting the town office; the vendor will deliver the chosen size on initial distribution. The board also directed that the swap process and outreach be included in informational materials that will go to households before delivery.
The board approved a rental charge for a third (65-gallon) bin; the transcript records the amount discussed as '$2.30' but does not specify the billing period or unit (the record does not clarify whether that figure is monthly, annually, or a one-time fee). The Select Board asked staff to confirm the fee structure and the exact charge wording on public notices.
Board members also reaffirmed that the contracted service is defined as residential service under the vendor contract and that residential units within a commercial building (for example, an apartment above a storefront) qualify for pickup; standalone commercial businesses do not. The board voted to formalize that interpretation ahead of Town Meeting so that voters will have a clear default when they consider the warrant articles.
The board stressed that the decision at town meeting is the next procedural step; several speakers urged robust outreach (postcards, newsletter notices and demonstrations of the 65- and 95-gallon carts) so residents understand the default and how to request a different size before delivery.
