BOS seeks feedback on trash/recycling

Faced with the prospect of reducing costs while still providing quality trash and recycling services, Canton selectmen are asking for input from residents on ways to improve curbside collection.

The board has requested that the public review an outreach video and related educational materials — currently posted on the town website — and then submit their feedback and suggestions via email to bos@town.canton.ma.us.

Earlier this month, selectmen announced that they had opened negotiations with Allied Waste-Republic Services to be the town’s sole provider of rubbish and recycling services. Allied-Republic currently picks up the trash and recyclables, but the town pays SEMASS a fee for waste/recycling transport and collection.

The town’s current contract with SEMASS ends on January 1, 2015, and SEMASS initially plans to double the town’s charges. Although Allied-Republic would charge an additional $35,000 annually to be the town’s sole provider, Canton could save an estimated $130,000 per year, mostly in transportation costs.

Selectmen ultimately hope to “tailor a final collection plan” with a focus on improving collection service and increasing recycling throughout the town.

If they do decide to go with Republic, residents would have to be educated about a new automated refuse and recycling system. Waste pickup would still occur weekly and recycling would be picked up every other week. However, residents would be given a 64-gallon container for waste pickup, which is equivalent to six regular garbage bags. The container for recycling is 94 gallons and would transport cans, bottles, glass, plastic, newspapers and clean latex paint containers.

Collection for the most part would be automatic, and residents would have to place the containers near the side of the road.

Perhaps the big difference with the proposed new system is with furniture pickup. Bruce Stanas of Alliance told selectmen earlier this month that residents would be charged an undetermined fee and would have to make a telephone reservation to arrange for pickup. Selectmen suggested a large container be centrally located so that residents could dispose of the furniture themselves.

Selectmen Vice Chairman Avril Elkort said the feedback they have received thus far has been split “50/50” between positive and negative comments, with many residents expressing concern over the size of the barrel and the issue of furniture pickup.

There have also been comments regarding the location and placement of barrels, and residents would like the town to retain its flexibility and adaptability to special circumstances.

“I know that it is very expensive right now,” Elkort said, referring to the existing arrangement. “We are paying two three or entities for all services, and if we do nothing it will cost a lot more in the future. So we are trying to get a sense of what people want.”

Selectmen encourage all public comments prior to their meeting of October 1 so as to incorporate them into any final decision, which is expected soon.

Are you a Citizen subscriber? Click here to order or renew your subscription.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=22410

Posted by Mike Berger on Sep 26 2013. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.