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York selects automated curbside carts; Cassella plans Oct. 5 rollout, residents raise access concerns
Summary
Cassella told the Select Board it will deploy automated side-arm trucks with two wheeled carts per household (trash and recycling) starting Oct. 5. Company and town staff outlined outreach and one-time cart-size swaps; residents asked about cart weight, placement for private and narrow roads, and multiunit handling.
Cassella, the town's waste contractor, told the Select Board on June 8 that it will convert York's curbside service to automated side-load collection beginning Oct. 5.
Chris McCale, Cassella market-area manager, said the company will deliver two wheeled carts to each household (one for trash, one for recycling) and operate split-body side-loading trucks that collect waste streams separately. Delivery of carts is expected to span a few weeks; educational materials and a sticker-based feedback process will be used to train residents. Cassella said supervisors and extra staff will be in the field during the transition to resolve issues.
Tim Depario, the town's public works superintendent, said Cassella will provide a one-time option to swap cart sizes (common sizes include 48-, 64- and 96-gallon models). Cart serial numbers will be recorded to link units to addresses during the initial rollout.
Residents raised practical concerns: several asked how elderly residents or households on narrow private roads will move full carts to a pickup point, and noted that a full 64-gallon cart can approach 120'150 pounds when filled. Depario and Cassella said they will evaluate narrow roads and may organize consolidated pickup points or other accommodations on a case-by-case basis; about 18 private roads were identified as needing special handling.
Cassella emphasized safety and staffing: automated collection reduces injuries associated with manual pickup and enables more efficient routing, company representatives said. Town staff asked Cassella to increase outreach, provide cart-size guidance before the start date, and coordinate with public works for streets that need special access arrangements.
No formal board vote was required; the board directed staff to continue coordinating deployment details and resident communications.
