The Board of Health on Monday approved new curbside trash and recycling regulations and a fee structure that could take effect July 1 if a proposed tax override fails.
The board’s actions come as the town weighs two funding paths for curbside collection: a Proposition 2 1⁄2 override to be decided at Town Meeting and at the ballot on June 16, or a fee-based system charged directly to residents.
“The funding mechanism is gonna be either the override or the fee,” Health Director Andrew Petty said during the meeting. “Regardless of how that works, these regulations are gonna dictate the placement of carts, the use of carts, all the things that go into curbside collection.”
Eligibility and carts
Under the approved regulations, curbside collection will apply to residential properties and condominium complexes with up to four units. Buildings with five or more units will not be eligible.
The town will distribute one 65-gallon trash cart and one 95-gallon recycling cart to each eligible unit and all waste must be contained within the carts with the lids closed.
“Nothing can be outside of the cart,” Petty said. “This is a huge piece for keeping our community clean.”
For residents in the downtown district and other tight spaces, the town will offer smaller 35-gallon trash carts as an alternative, though only one cart per household will be provided.
Members acknowledged space constraints in dense neighborhoods and said adjustments would be handled case by case.
Recycling will remain mandatory under state law, and enforcement could include inspection of trash loads.
“If we don’t see your recycling cart, we’re going to be really paying attention,” Petty said.
Fees tied to participation
Board members voted to set the annual fee for curbside collection at $290.76 per household, based on an estimate that 6% of eligible users will opt out of the program. The fee would be billed quarterly.
Member Tom McMahon said the difference between a 3% and 6% opt-out rate would be about $9 per household and backed the higher estimate given the town’s Transfer Station, noting the gap from full participation would be roughly $17 annually.
The board also approved a reduced rate of $145 for qualifying low-income households.
Officials emphasized that fees will be reviewed annually if the town adopts the fee-based system.
Petty said the fee structure is designed as a fallback if voters reject a proposed $2.3 million override.
“The override for the trash is $2,298,575,” he said. “That amount, when raised by 2.5% every year, will cover the cost of trash for the five-year contract.”
“If that fails, you’re reverting back to the fee structure,” he added.
Even if the override fails, he emphasized that curbside service must continue.
“It would be considered a public health threat if we do not provide curbside trash and recycling collection to all eligible homes,” Petty said. “It would be too much of a burden on the Transfer Station and there would be concern about widespread sanitation issues.”
Businesses may be added under fee system
Businesses are not included in the residential program funded by a potential override. However, if the town adopts the fee-based system, some small businesses may be allowed to participate.
Members noted that food establishments would not be eligible due to separate waste regulations, and participating businesses would be required to use both trash and recycling services.
The board approved a $80 monthly fee for participating businesses, down from an initially proposed $100 after discussion.
Opt-out policy
Residents will automatically be enrolled in the program but may opt out by submitting paperwork and demonstrating an alternative disposal method, such as use of the transfer station. They must also return their carts.
Petty emphasized that opting out is not intended for seasonal use.
“You can’t say, ‘Well, I’m going to be gone for six months, I’m opting out’,” he said. “You need to return your cart … and if it’s available, you can opt back in, but we’re not saying it’s available.”
“It’s intended for people that have these kinds of one-off issues,” he added, noting that exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The town will track carts using serial numbers and require addresses to be labeled on each container. Violations, such as placing trash outside carts, may result in fines under existing health regulations.
Transfer Station and bulky item fees
The board also approved updated Transfer Station fees, replacing a pay-by-weight system with flat fees for bulky items.
Mattress and box spring disposal will increase from $40 to $45 for residents and from $80 to $85 for commercial vehicles. Furniture will be charged based on size, ranging from $5 for small items to $40 for large pieces.
“We’re trying to make it easy and you no longer have to get on the scale to do that,” Petty said.
Disposal contract savings
The board also voted to award a five-year disposal contract to Waste Management, citing lower costs than a competing proposal from Republic Services.
The agreement is expected to reduce disposal costs by more than $100,000 annually.
“For the first time, as I understand it, we’re able to negotiate with vendors, and we’re able to choose to go to the lowest bidder,” Chair Tom Massaro said, calling the outcome “a bonus” for the town.
Timeline
Cart distribution is expected to begin in June, with the new curbside program scheduled to launch July 1.
The next Board of Health meeting is scheduled for May 12.
