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Commission reviews Save As You Throw progress; warns residents about new enforcement steps
Summary
Kim told the commission the council extended the Save As You Throw program for another year; participation stands at about 80% (target ~95%), DEEP provided a smaller grant, and the commission described a warning‑then‑fee enforcement process for chronic noncompliance, including periodic inspections and fees added to property bills.
Kim updated the Commission on the Save As You Throw program, saying the town council voted to continue the pilot for another year while the sanitation district finalizes enforcement measures.
"We have about 80% of the folks in the district participating, but we really need, like, 95 for it to be self sufficient," Kim said, noting state DEEP agreed to a smaller grant to help bridge the budget gap. The council also agreed to allow a fee for chronic noncompliance.
Kim described the enforcement approach: after education and a warning the town would conduct visual inspections of chronically noncompliant carts ("boots on the ground"). If noncompliance continues, a fee would be assessed and added to the property bill. A member noted that example penalty amounts discussed in the meeting include a $30 charge added to the bill and that the commission will finalize the cadence of inspections and warnings with the sanitation commission.
Members discussed renters and landlords, noting the city cannot force landlords to provide bags to tenants and that a fixed flat fee would shift different incentives than the pay‑as‑you‑throw model. Commissioners emphasized targeted outreach and neighborhood ambassadors to increase compliance before enforcement proceeds.
Staff said the first new bills under the updated program are planned for early October, with enforcement steps and outreach continuing through October and adjustment beginning November 1.
