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Residents press Marlborough officials for action on roadside dumping and reservoir litter
Summary
Multiple residents reported chronic dumping and litter on Reservoir Road and other rural corridors, asking for organized cleanups and clearer enforcement; the Board offered volunteer support and staff follow-up but said enforcement on private property can require costly court action.
Residents at the May 11 session described pervasive roadside trash, abandoned vehicles and episodic illegal dumping in and around the reservoir and on rural roads such as Lattintown and Reservoir Road. Frank Beckett and Luke Smith said beer cans, household waste and even furniture have accumulated in public right-of-ways and near the reservoir parking areas.
"I've been noticing along Lattintown Road, up in the back, Reservoir Road, all of those areas back there, there's a lot of trash that seems to be on the roadway," resident Frank Beckett said, urging a neighborhood cleanup. Council members recommended residents organize neighborhood teams while the Town provides trash bags and coordinates Highway Department pickup; Water Superintendent Charles Muggeo said his crews pick up cans but not every piece of scattered litter.
Supervisor Corcoran explained legal limits on compelling private-property owners to clean up and the expense of court enforcement: when violations persist the Town can pursue civil action in State Supreme Court, a process he said can cost 'thousands and thousands of dollars' in tax dollars. The Board encouraged residents to photograph incidents, report license plates to police when dumping occurs, and coordinate volunteer cleanups so Highway crews can collect bagged refuse at the transfer station.
