By Drew M. Bailey, Community Reporter
Southborough – The future of the Swap Shop that operates at the town Transfer Station was discussed at the Jan. 3 Board of Selectmen meeting. Residents crowded the McAuliffe Hearing Room in the Town House to comment on its proposed closure.
“The people of Southborough are very attached to their Swap Shop,” resident Jessica Rosenthal said.
Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent Karen Galligan presented a proposed expansion of the Swap Shop that she believed would alleviate many of the problems tied to the institution. Among these were the small size of the facility, traffic jams and limited parking at the Transfer Station, the proximity of the busy recycling area, and budget inconsistencies that resulted in the recent elimination of a DPW position. She said that the loss has left the DPW understaffed, resulting in less control over the operation of the Swap Shop, and a lack of consistency in rules enforcement.
Galligan said that because of the small size of the Swap Shop, it is necessary for the DPW to have staff present to clean up at the end of each day. She proposed expanding the Swap Shop into town-owned property adjoining the Transfer Station, and adding a number of sheds. These changes, she said, would separate the Swap Shop from DPW resources stored nearby that need to be monitored, reduce traffic, and require little clean-up or supervision by town employees. The cost of this expansion was not discussed as the proposed project is still in the planning phase.
While some residents applauded Galligan's efforts, others believed that they went too far, would be too costly, or would not deal with the root causes of the problems associated with the Swap Shop.
Concerns that the town should take efforts to more closely monitor the use of the Swap Shop by contractors disposing of materials not related to Southborough construction were addressed by Board of Selectman Chair William Boland, who said town officials were aware of the issue. Galligan also mentioned that there was an effort underway to create an online Swap Shop that could reduce some traffic and abuse by allowing town residents to advertise their wares online.
Reports of bullying were an issue of concern for both residents and selectmen.
“This board won’t tolerate such behavior,” Boland said.
Concerns that an expansion of the Swap Shop would only amplify existing problems were also expressed.
“I don’t know if we can afford to make the problem bigger,” resident Karen Bernhardt said.
Board of Selectmen Vice Chair John Rooney agreed. He said that the Transfer Station was handled irresponsibly, and called Galligan's proposal a “Band-Aid approach to a problem that is hemorrhaging.”
He recommended that the town institute a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system for garbage disposal. He acknowledged that such a system would likely necessitate more monitoring at the Transfer Station, due to increases in recycling, but that reductions in the town's trash output would provide ample justification.
Boland did not permit public comments on the town's implementation of a PAYT system.
The Swap Shop will remain open for the time being, as the town continues to develop a plan for its future.
