By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – During its Dec. 10 meeting, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a “One Free Non-PAYT Trash Bag” program. This has become a tradition for the board each year.
The program will take place Thursday. Dec. 26 through Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. Pay As You Throw (PAYT) customers will be allowed to place one plastic, non-PAYT trash bag, up to 35 gallons, out with their regular garbage and recycling during this time-frame.
When asked how long the program had been in place, Shrewsbury Selectman Beth Casavant said after the meeting that she believed it had been in place since PAYT began in 2008.
“The Board of Selectmen traditionally offers the one free bag program during the final week of the year. It’s a way to show our appreciation for the residents, but also helps to keep items that aren’t recyclable, like gift wrap and Styrofoam, from contaminating our recycling,” she said.
Shrewsbury Town Manager Kevin Mizikar also noted that in observance of Christmas, the Wednesday, Dec. 25 collection of rubbish and recycling will be delayed one day as will the routes for the remainder of the week.
Additionally, Christmas trees will be collected during the weeks of Monday, Jan. 6 through Friday, Jan. 10 and Monday, Jan. 13 through Friday, Jan. 17, barring any weather disruptions.
The collection pertains to real, not artificial trees and will take place on designated rubbish pick-up days. Trees should be free of snow and ice, not frozen into the ground and visible to the collection crew.
For more information about PAYT and any delay notifications, visit: www.shrewsburyma.gov.