In an effort to avoid the most draconian budget cuts, Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer has proposed new curbside trash and recycling pickup fees for residents.
The fees, which would raise about $2 million a year, would cost each household $254.65 annually, based on an estimated 8,000 households. Residents who qualify for tax exemptions would receive discounts, and households could opt out by using the Transfer Station instead.
The Finance Committee researched the use of trash fees in other communities throughout the state.
Towns like Swampscott and Lynnfield — which do not have transfer stations — offer curbside pickup services and fund them through property taxes alone, according to Finance Committee member Molly Teets, who gathered the data.
Beverly and Hopkinton are similar in that they only offer curbside pickup, but Beverly funds it with a $100 annual fee and Hopkinton charges residents $696 per year.
Hingham and Weston are examples of towns that have transfer stations and do not offer municipal curbside pickup services at all. Residents in those towns can drop off their trash and recycling at their transfer station or pay for a private curbside service.
Danvers is a close comparison to Marblehead because the town has a transfer station and offers both curbside and drop-off services. Officials implemented a $200 annual fee that took effect in July 2024 to help cover rising budget costs.
Asked about the possible trash fees, Board of Health member Tom McMahon told the Current, “I think trash collection is a basic service that should be included with other services paid for through property tax collection. Until forced to consider alternatives, which isn’t until the Select Board makes their budget official, I’m not considering a fee or whether I would vote for it.”
