SOUTH BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARING
SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE
DECEMBER 8, 2008
Chairman Jean Demetracopoulos opened the hearing at 6:30pm. Councilors present included Michelle Kareckas, David Burke, David E. Webster, and Gerald W. MacPherson, Sr. Interim Town Manager Roberta Orsini was also in attendance.
The purpose of the hearing was to receive public comment on the proposed amendments to the Solid Waste Ordinance. Mrs. Demetracopoulos read the proposed amendments including the emergency clause. The majority of changes were being made to add the pay-as-you-throw requirements to the ordinance and to significantly change the way commercial haulers operate within town.
-Clifford Cleary, Spillane’s Hill, expressed his concerns with the potential law suits from requiring haulers to take the trash to MERC. Mrs. Orsini stated that she has spoken with the Town’s Attorney and does not feel this is an issue. She added that our flow control ordinance already requires that the trash go to MERC; it hasn’t been enforced.
-Richard Tetu, Hooper Sands Road, received clarification that if he were still hauling trash, he would have to take it to MERC. Mr. Tetu asked how the Town would be handling trash from the parks and baskets downtown.
-Norma Tutelian, Butler St, stated that she is 100% against the PAYT program. She asked for the current amount spent on legal fees. Mrs. Orsini stated that she did not have the numbers with her, but would make them available.
Eric Pelchat, Front St, received clarification that residents using private haulers will not need to use the PAYT bags because their waste will not be going to the transfer station. Mr. Pelchat asked what will happen if haulers don’t comply with bringing the trash to MERC. Mrs. Orsini stated that the Council could revoke the hauler’s license.
-Ruth Boston, Emery’s Bridge Rd, asked if residents will be limited to a certain amount of trash. It was explained that trash in the PAYT bags will not be limited.
Malcolm Kenney, Agamenticus Rd, stated that he would like to see a bid process as part of the ordinance. He explained that when our contract is up with MERC, we could request bids for our trash. Mr. MacPherson stated that our contract with MERC is for 25 years (2012) and has been renegotiated several times. Mrs. Orsini stated that the bid process did not need to be included in the ordinance for it to happen.
-George Gorman, Agamenticus Rd, asked if the Town will be selling the bags. Mrs. Orsini stated that the bags will be sold in a number of locations. It has not been finalized as to whether bags will be sold at the transfer station or not.
Malcolm Kenney, Agamenticus Rd, asked at what point the PAYT program would be aborted. Mrs. Demetracopoulos explained that it is related to revenues and expenses, and gave no set criteria.
Audrey Fortier, Rodier Road, stated that the Council did not follow the solid waste committee’s recommendation by including single stream as part of the program. Mrs. Demetracopoulos stated that the Council has tried to address the issue by requiring that the transfer station begin taking all recyclable plastics 1-7.
Albert Roberge, Butler St, asked when the Town should see an increase in dollars due to the program. Mrs. Orsini stated that $60,000 in revenue was added to the budget in anticipation of bag sales, the recycling line was increased by $10,000, and disposal fees was increased by $10,000.
The hearing was closed at 7:30pm.
Attest:
Barbara Bennett
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