Henry Raymond
Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: kpplus2 on March 26, 2015, 05:29:39 PM
-
This is what I copied and pasted from the 16 March Select Board meeting minutes:
"You will be allowed the equivalent of a 60 gallon bag per week. If you have more trash than that you will need to purchase a sticker/tag(s). A price per sticker/tag has not yet been determined. A plan of action was established with different board members taking on different tasks to complete. The plan is to hold two public informational meetings in the near future".
-
Does this include recycle?
-
No I think recycle is good to go from what I'm looking at. This is the states way of encouraging recycling and charging for more trash. Seems to be a work in progress.
-
This is just another "tax" (buying stickers if you have what is deemed to much trash) to control what we do or what we throw away. we have to keep in mind this state wants to control everything we do from trash, to recycling, to if we drink a coke, to our healthcare options, more to come I'm sure. I just wanted to put out what is coming with what we put out by the street as I see it.
-
ummm. Where does one get the stickers??
-
I would imagine at the town office. Looks like when they work the bugs out of this new program they are going to have a couple of public meetings, and I would assume they will put out information on the town web site when this program gets started. I know the state is pushing for a 1 July implementation. The question I wonder about is does this mean with proposed "less trash" being picked up, meaning less tonnage to the dump; equaling a lower bill from Duffy's hence a lower tax expense to the town?
-
Suspect we'll see an increase in illegal dumping and burning.
-
Not sure how this will be enforced but it has disaster written all over it. Having lived in Fairfax on a private road I can't tell you how many times people from presumably other towns (to get out of paying for their own trash pick up) dropped bags off and other misc items at the end of my road. My question is so if there is more trash than "allowed" and there is "no sticker" because of the described scenario who is penalized and how? If there is no sticker and its more than again "allowed" do they leave it there to stink and attract the animals or is it simply picked up without penalty?
If I was still living there I would be at one of those public meetings asking these questions for sure....In theory maybe a good idea however I think in practallity.......an Epic Fail
Cheers,
-
Perhaps I'm missing something, but I don't really understand how the "there's going to be an increase in littering" argument. Very few municipalities in Vermont coordinate trash pickup and I don't see the state littered with bags of trash along the roads. Granted there's always litter, but does our town really have such a high number of residents that would resort to illegal dumping? Are we really stuck in that mindset?
-
Perhaps I'm missing something, but I don't really understand how the "there's going to be an increase in littering" argument. Very few municipalities in Vermont coordinate trash pickup and I don't see the state littered with bags of trash along the roads. Granted there's always litter, but does our town really have such a high number of residents that would resort to illegal dumping? Are we really stuck in that mindset?
Trevor you would be surprised how big of an issue illegal dumping is.... Our town has the fortunate scenario where our trash is in our taxes so people can't skirt paying for trash removal. Justin's scenario happens ALL the time in Fairfax... his road, Wheezy way, Rounds Rd are a few others that have this problem. You think those people that drop off their trash are going to go back and pick it up if it isn't taken? I agree with Justin, once again our elected officials show their intelligence with passing this law.
-
Perhaps a better legislative measure would be to have each municipality contract trash removal, such as Fairfax does, so residents aren't having to do it and therefore "illegally dumping" wouldn't ever be an issue--anywhere. People unfortunately do tend to react with emotions rather than with thought. I believe there is only one dump site left in the state and it's filling rapidly. Act 148 is designed to vastly reduce the amount of trash people throw out and get them to recycle instead--a pain to change habits, for sure, but certainly not a stupid concept. Recycling can reduce the amount of trash going out considerably.
Coming up is mandatory composting--everyone will be expected to recycle food scraps and lawn clippings/leaves/etc. Larger restaurants started last year, the next level this year and so on. I think household scraps are due to take affect in 2017. The goal is to recycle as much as possible to keep a little as possible from going into the landfill. Burning trash (for those so inclined) is toxic. There are any number of chemicals in the plastic & containers food etc comes in that are released when burned. Such behavior demonstrates a childish, ignorant mindset. :(
-
I am sorry, I pay enough in taxes to have this added tax put on to my budget. I will continue to put out the trash as I always have and if it does not get picked up it will stay. I am sure the tourists that pass through the village will like this. What's next (and there will be a next) parents will have to pay for bussing then school supplies, then sports, then excise tax for driving on the road. These are all the reasons I left Mass. Taking items out of the town and school budget and forcing the residents to pay for it is a tax increase. They need to be voted on.
-
You would be surprised at the number of people that bring trash over to the school dumpster.
-
When a price tag is attached to something, it usually gets people talking and generally changes their behavior to avoid paying--at least that's the thought process & the hope, because no one likes to pay more for anything if they don't have to--why would you? I think people who recycle will be fine and those who don't will want to start. I don't think the idea is really for people to pay to heap on the garbage--they really want everyone to recycle everything that can possibly be recycled/reused/reduced and eliminate trash entirely--though that's likely impossible, but I think it's the goal.
Hopefully no animals get to your garbage tfence, there is still plenty of wildlife roaming around Fairfax--I don't think it will be the tourists going through that will care, so much as your neighbors, when it's strewn all over and smells! ;-) (And rotting food draws flies, which lay eggs....) :(
-
Come on folks. Don't overreact without knowing the facts, which we don't have yet. The info that was provided is that one 60-gallon bag per pickup is being considered as the standard. That is a HUGE contractor size bag per week. I do not see anything at all unreasonable about that as a departure point to start the discussion. The first post noted that discussion was starting and public meetings will follow. Why not take a look at what you put in the trash for a few weeks and see if one 60-gallon bag is reasonable or not?
Margo
-
Well that's the problem with releasing information and not specifics. You're going to get a lot of guessing. It's also a big change if you're talking about charging people more for something they're already paying for. As commented before, if we have this in place does that mean we'll save on trash costs as a town and the budget will go down more for removal?
-
looks like more information on the subject from the select board minutes:
Barb Murphy is here this evening to update the Board on what is being discussed at the state level. A bill was just introduced, the H493 Short Form, pertaining to conservation and development; solid waste; solid waste management; recycling; pricing. She explained how the bill would allow municipalities to finance solid waste management through property tax assessments, or other financing mechanisms, other than the variable rate pricing. (Not sure what that means sounds like an additional property tax to me)
Robert (Bob) Shea is here this evening to discuss a couple of subjects of concern he has. The first is with Duffy’s and Act 148. His concerns were addressed by different members of the Board, as well as what details have been worked out thus far. Tom stated that this is a state mandated act.
1. Act 148 – Updates were reviewed as well as where we are currently. We will setup a timeline to move forward with becoming compliant. Two public informational meetings will be held at the Fire House 4.30.15 at 6:30 pm. and 5.2.15 at 10 am. A meeting was held with Duffy’s Trash & Recycling prior to this meeting. Please see notes (didn't see a notes post)
-
I can see if I can get that info from Catherine Duffy later this week.
I have to say I am so frustrated with people just blaming Duffy's on this. THIS IS THE STATE! So many people just like to complain before reading....
Thanks for the dates of the meetings. Let's spread the word so others will attend and be informed!
-
And Nick, since we pay them an fee for pick up per house and then pay the cost to dump our garbage; it only makes sense if we have less garbage, it would cost us less based on how we have our contract.
If we were with Casella still the price would be the same and we would save $0.
-
If we save more, why can't we just charge a tiny annual fee to the residents and have the town pay the fee. by the magic of numbers, we pay about the same and have still charged the fee.
-
You are making too much sense Nick, LOL. This is the State, nothing can run smooth.
-
Universal Recycling
Timeline
July 1, 2014 -
•Transfer Stations / Drop-off Facilities must accept residential recyclables at no extra charge
July 1, 2015 -
•Statewide unit based pricing, residential trash charges based on volume or weight
•Recyclables are banned from the landfill
•Transfer stations / Drop-off Facilities must accept leaf & yard debris
•Haulers must offer residential recycling collection at no extra charge
•Public buildings must provide recycling containers alongside all trash containers in public spaces (exception for restrooms)
•Food scrap generators of 52 tons/year (1 ton/week) must divert material to any certified facility within 20 miles
July 1, 2016 -
•Leaf, yard, & clean wood debris are banned from the landfill
•Haulers must offer leaf & yard debris collection
•Food scrap generators of 26 tons/year (1/2 ton/week) must divert material to any certified facility within 20 miles
July 1, 2017 -
•transfer stations / Drop-off Facilities must accept food scraps
•Haulers must offer food scrap collection
•Food scrap generators of 18 tons/year (1/3 ton/week) must divert material to any certified facility within 20 miles
July 1, 2020-
•Food scraps are banned from the landfill
If you have any questions please call Stacy at the Town Office 849-6111 x 16, or Duffy's Trash &
Recycling at 849-2309
-
I was concerned about the effect on Fairfax of this legislation, Act 148, and was pleased to be given the opportunity to voice that concern through co-sponsoring H 493. The short form bill does not give all the details but is clear in its intent. I will advocate for our community and try to get it off the wall next year. in the meantime our Selectboard and town officials are helping us mee the requirements of the current law.
BILL AS INTRODUCED H.493
2015 Page 1 of 2
VT LEG #306266 v.1
1 H.493
2 SHORT FORM
3 Introduced by Representatives Quimby of Concord, Batchelor of Derby,
4 Eastman of Orwell, Higley of Lowell, Lefebvre of Newark,
5 Murphy of Fairfax, Sibilia of Dover, Strong of Albany, and
6 Young of Glover
7 Referred to Committee on
8 Date:
9 Subject: Conservation and development; solid waste; solid waste management;
10 recycling; pricing
11 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to repeal the
12 requirement that all individuals separate food residuals from solid waste by
13 2020. The bill would also amend the requirement that leaf and yard residuals
14 be separated from solid waste in order to accommodate management of leaf
15 and yard residuals in rural communities. In addition, the bill would allow
16 municipalities to finance solid waste management through property tax
17 assessments or other financing mechanisms, instead of by variable rate pricing.
18 The bill also ensures that municipalities may continue to manage solid waste in
19 the State individually or as part of an alliance or other group as long as the
20 municipality complies with the requirements and goals of the State materials
21 management plan. Last, the bill would afford municipalities flexibility in
ILL AS INTRODUCED H.493
2015 Page 2 of 2
VT LEG #306266 v.1
1 meeting the requirements under the State materials management plan for solid
2 waste surveys, placement of recycling receptacles in public places, and the
3 number of household hazardous waste collection events required each year.
4 An act relating to solid waste management
5 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
6 (TEXT OMITTED IN SHORT-FORM BILLS)
-
This is the most absurd legislation based on a well conceived desire. You'll need to offer multiple bins at homes and you'll be leaving out food scraps in those containers which animals will be in love with. How are haulers going to pick up yard debris. This is going to drive up the cost of trash overall because they'll have to raise the cost on trash since they can't get it from all these other collections they are forced to make. Then you'll have to have more trucks to handle this or better sorting facilities. Sounds like overall trash collection will take longer as well.
-
It's likely the logistics have not been thought out/considered/ are a work in progress and will change continually as this progresses; however, the reality is and has been that we can't continue to dump everything and anything in the same way we always have.
We've had recycling in Fairfax for over 25 years and still there is less than 100% compliance. ??? I don't get that. Initially (late 80s-90s) it was a real pain because everything had to be fixed just so in the bin, cans/plastic had to be flattened, everything had to be separated in paper bags, milk jugs had to be flattened & tied together by the handles then put on top of everything. The only thing loose allowed in the bin was glass. Eventually it went to zero sort, but I think people were so put off from the early days that they never bothered to recycle. Now it's basically mandatory.
It's hard to understand why people are complaining--unless they really generate a great deal of trash and will be hit hard with extra bag fees. Getting into the habit of recycling will cut trash down a lot--as with any habit, once established, it becomes second nature. As for food scraps--those can be composted for your garden or someone else's--because I agree that putting them out for pickup is a lot gross--esp if it sits in the heat for a day or so. But, I understand food scraps can be put in a methane digester to produce energy similar to cow manure--so this is likely the intended plan. ???
It seems like a great big concern over per bag fees most people will likely not have to pay. I wonder how will this fee be assessed at condos with dumpsters?