At a Sept. 29 meeting, Public Health Director Andrew Petty showed off two large plastic trash toters (barrels) and spoke about different options for trash and recycling after the town’s 10-year
contract with Republic Services ends in September 2026. For years, Petty has been alerting the town that once the Republic contract ends, costs will likely increase by about 60%.
Right now, according to Petty, Marblehead pays just over $1 million a year for trash and recycling collection. That amounts to about $2 a week per resident. The town does not pay anything to process the recycling.
“We’re anticipating a jump to $1.7 million just for the collection,” he said. The town will also need to pay an $82-per-ton processing fee for the estimated 3,000 tons of curbside recycling each year. That totals another $246,000.
Petty plans to put the town’s trash and recycling out to bid this month and finalize a contract that would begin September 2026 by December. That much lead time is needed for disposal companies to build trucks for new communities.
He is proposing moving to an automated trash collection system, where trucks with mechanical arms lift and empty barrels, reducing the need for a second person on each route. That would work in most neighborhoods, except for the Historic District, where trash barrels would need to be picked up by hand.
Currently, every household in town is allowed one 65-gallon toter or two 35-gallon barrels for trash, and unlimited recycling.
“Moving forward, I recommend we standardize barrels curbside — with one 65-gallon toter for trash and one 65-gallon toter for recycling.” Another option, he said, would be to switch to picking up recycling every other week and using a 95-gallon toter.
The Health Department would provide the toters to residents at a cost of $900,000 over five years, paid for by the town.
The BoH hopes to hold public meetings soon to get feedback from residents.
Drinking culture
BoH member Tom McMahon said he was meeting with members of the School Committee, Recreation and Parks Commission and Select Board to talk about ways to address Marblehead’s drinking culture, after two tragic teen deaths in recent years.
One idea being discussed is bringing the Arrive Alive Tour to Marblehead High and Veterans School. The Arrive Alive Tour provides simulated experiences of driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, while texting and more. The cost is about $22,500 for nine days.
CAHM postcards
Board of Health Chair Tom Massaro said 16,739 postcards were being mailed Sept. 29, urging all Marblehead residents, ages 18 and older, to take part in a health-and-wellness survey. The survey will be open for several weeks. A report on the results will be available in the spring.
COVID vaccine guidance
BoH member Dr. Amanda Ritvo spoke about guidance around the COVID vaccine this season.
“The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has taken clear steps, including a standing order allowing all pharmacists to vaccinate all eligible individuals. So you do not need a doctor’s prescription, even if it’s… even if the federal government says you need one. The state of Massachusetts is requiring insurance coverage for COVID.”
Ritvo shared the folowing guidelines for COVID vaccines:
- All people 18+, especially those older than 65
- Children ages 6-23 months
- All women at any stage of pregnancy
- People ages 2-18 can take a risk-based approach. Those who are at low risk can also be vaccinated.
Transfer Station update
The BoH approved $1.59 million to complete the final phase of Transfer Station renovations, including a new scale house, moving the scale to a permanent location in front of the pit and site work. Construction should begin this fall.
“There is going to be some disturbance, some downtime,” Petty said. “Unfortunately, you have to break some eggs to make a cake.”
