Street Sweeping, Trash Fee Among Topics Tackled By Selectmen

Stoneham Department of Public Works Director Bob Grover filled the shoes for Town Administrator David Ragucci during Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, which, appropriately enough had a large range of DPW items come before the board’s attention.

One of the main topics addressed was an updated regarding the impending which takes effect July 1.

Following a question from Selectman Robert Sweeney over how condominiums that have multiple trash days per week would fit under the new plan, Grover noted that the town would be responsible for the first pick up, but individual condominium owners and associations would have to pay for subsequent pickups later in the week that would not be included in the trash fee.

This led to the question of whether individual homes or small groups of individual homes could opt to hire their own private trash hauling services, leading back to the discussion earlier in the year on whether condominiums would do the same.

Grover said it would be theoretically possible for any individual home owner or set of home owners to opt out of public trash pickup services if they could receive a waiver from the town’s department, and those who opted out would lose their access to the Stevens Street Recycling Center.

Non-licensed individuals are prohibited from hauling most forms of trash under Massachusetts law.

Condominium associations and anyone else interested in opting out of the public trash hauling system have until June 1 to reply to the DPW, after which time Grover told the board that anyone left would be considered not to have opted out.

Stoneham Sweepers Are On Their Way

According to Grover, the DPW is currently engaged in sweeping near the Elm Street area to remove salt and other debris that accumulated during the winter.

The latest annual sweep began near on South Street three weeks ago and will proceed clockwise around town, with sweeps in future years to begin at varying start points to avoid any show of favoritism to any part of Stoneham.

New Youth Sports Group Introduces Themselves

The board was introduced to a new organization known as Stoneham Youth Coalition, an alliance of local youth sports associations seeking to increase youth sports participation in town.

Stoneham Soccer Club representative Libby Fulgione talked to the board about the importance of youth athletics and the hope that the new organization can help provide a method to facilitate participation among children and parents in the area.

“What I have learned while I’ve lived here is that there are many opportunities available for the young children of this town, but it’s often times very difficult for a new family or a family that’s lived here for 10 or 12 years like I have, to find out what is available,” Fulgione said.

Fulgione also mentioned hopes to beginning a program to help families that cannot afford potential fees associated with youth sports as well as looking to start a website for the group in the near future.