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Select Board approves curbside curbside program, fees and Tuesday–Wednesday pickup schedule
Summary
After public forums and cost modeling, the board approved a uniform curbside barrel program with a $100 standard package, options for larger/smaller carts, and a transition to Tuesday–Wednesday collection and every-other-week recycling; staff will order carts by end of July for September distribution.
The Select Board voted to approve a townwide curbside collection program that replaces orange-bag pricing with uniform barrels, establishes a standard $100 annual fee for a 35-gallon trash barrel plus a 65-gallon recycling cart, and sets a Tuesday–Wednesday collection schedule with every-other-week recycling.
Town administrator Tony Barletta presented the analysis and said a DEP grant will only cover $30 per 35-gallon trash barrel, meaning larger carts and recycling barrels must be fully funded by the town's program design. "The standard would be one 35-gallon trash with one 65-gallon recycling cart, and that annual fee is $100," Barletta said, describing alternatives priced up to $200 and options for seniors or mobility-impaired residents to take a smaller recycling cart.
Staff explained operational details including serial-numbered carts tied to addresses, truck-mounted cameras and tagging of uncollected items. They warned that to distribute carts by early September the town needs to place orders by the end of July and that minimum order quantities may require forecasting. The board approved three related motions: (1) adopt the every-other-week recycling collection recommendation, (2) approve the curbside program and associated fees, and (3) approve the Tuesday–Wednesday collection schedule. Members asked for near-term resident outreach and a later evaluation of the switch to weekly recycling if data show the need.
