WESTBOROUGH – There’s been some complaining about the town’s new Pay-as-You Throw (PAYT) program, but there’s also been success.
Board of Health Director Jennifer Sullivan and Waste Program Coordinator Al Gordon presented an update to the Select Board on Tuesday, July 23.
According to Sullivan, 2,152 permits have been purchased by residents, including 171 online. Eighteen seniors have applied for the subsidized PAYT bag program.
When the program went into effect on July 1, the emphasis was on educating visitors, said Gordon.
“We had 103 vehicles without stickers” on the first day, he said. The vehicles were allowed to use the transfer station, but the drivers were told to purchase a sticker.
Enforcement began on July 15. Those without a sticker, and without the town’s PAYT bags, are being turned away.
Both Sullivan and Gordon said they have seen a decrease in the amount of trash and traffic at the transfer station. According to information presented to the board, traffic at the transfer station has been reduced by about 50%, and there’s already been a reduction in tonnage.
“We’re getting the word out,” said Gordon.
According to Sullivan, the biggest issues have been illegal dumping at the site when the transfer station is not staffed by town volunteers; and out-of-towners.
Gordon said a “lot of people from Upton” who used to access the transfer station have been turned away, along with Tidy Town customers trying to bring their overflow without a sticker and bags.
“We’re catching them at the gate,” he said.
“This is what we expected to see,” said Select Board Ian Johnson of the reduction of visits to the Transfer Station from out-of-towners.
The issue with illegal dumping may take a while to resolve. According to Town Manager Kristi Williams, Harvey’s/Waste Management will not step in to help with illegal dumping. It may lead to the town to provide funding for someone to help with enforcement.
About the PAYT program
In order to dispose of waste at the transfer station, residents must have a 2024-25 transfer station permit on their vehicle, and all waste in PAYT bags.
Transfer station permits are available in person at the Board of Health office on the second floor of Town Hall, 34 W. Main St., or online via the town’s website. Permits are required for both waste disposal and recycling at the transfer station. To obtain a permit, residents must have valid photo identification; vehicle registration; and proof of Westborough residency.
Hours at the transfer station are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
PAYT bags – $10 for either a roll of 10 small bags, or five large bags – may be purchased at Roche Bros. at 1100 Union St.; Westborough Ace Hardware, 1 Phillips St.; Nouria Energy, 128 Turnpike Road; Market Basket, 200 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury; and India Market, 1000 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury.
According to Sullivan, Stop & Shop is in the process of becoming another location to purchase PAYT bags.
For information on the program, go to https://www.westboroughma.gov/
