Most oppose trash fee at hearing
By Melissa Muntz Community Reporter

Shrewsbury - The bulk of people attending the trash removal hearing Feb. 12 were opposed to a pay as you throw solid waste removal fee.

The program could include people purchasing special trash bags needed for curbside pickup, so that people pay directly for the trash they put out each week. This is designed to ensure that people who are throwing away more are paying more for the service than those who are throwing away fewer bags, but resident Ben Tartaglia said the program is not as fair as it may appear.

"Saying this is fair assumes that people are all making the same salary," Tartaglia said. "For each person on fixed or lower income, each bag costs them a higher percentage of their salary than those who are lucky enough to be making more."

While implementing fees is the only way a town can increase revenue without passing a Proposition 2-1/2 override, some people said that school transportation fees, activity and sports fees as well as increased utility costs have stretched their wallets as far as they can go without breaking.

One solution that resident John Lukach has promoted is one free bag for all residents per week, with a cost tied to all additional bags. Doing this, he said, will increase recycling while off ering some assistance to people on fixed and lower incomes.

Other possible solutions proposed at the hearing

" included decreasing the number of allowable bags without charging people and making more infrequent pickups for recycling and solid waste. Many people asked that a question regarding fee-based solid waste removal be put on the ballot in May.

The selectmen, who hosted the hearing, made no decision following comments from the public, but said they would consider everyone's testimony before making a decision.