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Debate on Bylaw Change to Allow Disposal Fees Stirs Concern; Article 31 Set Aside Until Next Session
Summary
Article 31, which would amend Chapter 90, Section 9 to allow the Select Board to impose reasonable fees beyond a baseline trash cart, drew intense debate about equity and disability access; the meeting adjourned with the article tabled for future action.
Town meeting members began debate on Article 31, a proposed amendment to Chapter 90, Section 9 (Regulation of Refuse Disposal) that would modernize bylaw language and permit the Select Board to impose reasonable fees for disposal service above a baseline municipal curbside cart.
Presenter Maggie Pehr said the change is intended to align the bylaw with state guidance and the town's Zero Waste planning, noting rising disposal costs and limited landfill capacity. She told members the motion had been amended to guarantee every dwelling a baseline no-fee trash cart and to allow the Select Board to set reasonable fees only for collection or disposal in excess of that baseline.
Opposition came strongly from the Commission on Disability. "Fees cause too many disabled individuals to have to choose between groceries, prescriptions, heating oil, medical supplies, health care, and other necessities," said Mr. Rossi speaking for the commission, which recommended a no vote and emphasized that many disability-related disposal needs are non-discretionary and difficult to accommodate in a fee-based system.
Supporters argued fee structures and volume-based programs are effective tools for reducing waste and controlling rising tipping fees. Staff said the task force will continue outreach, evaluate accommodations (including opt-downs, front-door pickup, and approved overflow bags) and that final program design would be approved by the Select Board with additional public input.
The meeting experienced technical difficulties with the online queuing system; because a roll-call vote would be required to capture remote voters and because time was limited, the moderator accepted a unanimous motion to adjourn and set Article 31 on the table to resume on Wednesday the 15th. No final town meeting vote on Article 31 took place at this session.
Next steps: the task force and staff will continue community engagement, and the Select Board will consider the program design and any fee structure after additional outreach; Article 31 is scheduled to be resumed at the next session for further deliberation and a recorded vote.
