Selectmen Considering Trash Fee Reduction
The Stoneham Board of Selectmen discussed possibly reducing the trash fee at their meeting on Tuesday night at Town Hall.
The Stoneham Board of Selectmen are looking into possibly reducing the town's trash fee.
During Tuesday night's Selectmen's session at Town Hall, Town Administrator David Ragucci said that Stoneham has been "trending downward on the tonage" in terms of garbage disposal. Ragucci and Selectman Robert Sweeney explained that due to this fact, they were in favor of the initiative to reduce garage fees for a majority of residents.
Ragucci and Sweeney explained they supported a $20 reduction effective July 1 as long as we current levels. Ragucci also pointed out that the reduction "may come back if the tonage increases."
Ragucci and Sweeney discussed how the reduction will affect current full-rate residents and not those on a flat, unadjustable rate like Stonehamites that live in condominiums.
Added to the reduction, Ragucci said that the majority of residents will be able to desegregrate their products when recycling; meaning bottles, cans, paper and other recyclables don't have to be shifted into their own bin. This too will reduce tonage, according to the selectmen. Using larger bins was also discussed.
The overall decrease in tonage may be due to economic factors and given the current fiscal climate, "people may be holding onto things a little longer," Ragucci said.
Discussion surrounding the possible reduction and recycling overhauls were inspired by what the Selectmen saw as a need to increase exposure to recycling and proper waste managment to keep tonage at their current levels and save Stoneham money.
"We have to do a better job of advertising what can be recycled," said Selectman Tom Boussy, "especially if [it will] save a couple of bucks."
Sweeney added: "I believe we could drop the fee even further or have it for everyone, but this is a good start."
However, despite overall satisfaction with their intent, Ragucci and Sweeney had no data ready to view the overall impact of the reduction and so the subject wasn't voted on. The selectmen tabled the issue until a future meeting.
Jwelch
9:43 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
A single stream recycling program should be considered. Many surrounding towns have adopted this trash/recycling program (medford, winchester, boston, north andover, wilmington, watertown etc..). Benefits are almost instant with an Increase in recycling which requires no seperation and bigger bins, reduces tonage of waste and will save the town money.
mark patterson
3:45 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Selectman Sweeney states that ALL payers of the fee should get a $20 reduction.I beg to differ. I'm paying $240 and a senior or condo owner is only paying $150.The full-rate payers already subsidize the partial-rate payers.If anyone should get a reduction is is the full-rate payers.If the Selectmen insist on giving everyone a reduction then I think the only fair way to do that would be to institute it as a percentage.A 5% reduction for me would be $12.00. A 5% reduction for the condo owner or senior would be $7.50.That's $19.50.Works for me. It is fair,it is equal,and it makes more sense than continuing to balance the budget on the backs of owner-occupied single family homes.The notion that a certain group is on a "fixed income" and should get a break is noble but short-sighted.Many working age people are struggling either through unemployment or a decrease in pay.People on a fixed income are in the same position they were in yesterday and last year.Families with school-aged children pay fees for sports and money for school supplies.There are no school buses as were available for past generations.Not all of the people who receive a reduced tax bill or trash fee bill are in dire straits,rather,they happen to be lumped into that demographic.It may be legal but it certainly isn't fair to the families who are struggling.After all,how many in the aforementioned group are still paying a mortgage or trying to put their kids through college? Just wondering.
Charles Dell
1:22 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
I am a senior citizen who has payed taxes to this town for 59 years. Unfortunateky, we did not have children but yet we were obligated to be included in all the tax increases in this town!
Now, the trash fee is an abomination since those of us who are seniors certainly don't use the weekly pick-up. In fact, I can truthfully state, it is not my weekly usage, if I use it every two to three times in a month it is my standard!
Whwn can we expect to have those we elect to represent us, face reality and cease robbing us of the few dollars we have to survive?
Wake up, we are not those of extreme high income and most live on a fixed income!