Board pushes new trash plan

By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE

sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - The town's Solid Waste Advisory Committee has recommended the community move to a pay-as-you-throw $2 a bag program for trash disposal to replace the current $39 annual per resident trash collection fee.

Committee members outlined their proposal Wednesday before the Selectboard. Selectmen have taken the matter under advisement pending more education of the public as well as allowing them time to get input from residents as to how they feel about a possible change. They expect to have the committee make a second presentation for the benefit of the public during an upcoming, televised meeting of the Selectboard.

The committee recommended a per bag charge as a way to reduce the amount of trash sent to the town's landfill as well as increase the amount of refuse recycled. The town sells its recyclables to the Materials Recycling Facility in Springfield.


Committee Chairman John J. Higgins II as well as other committee members described the proposal as being more fair than the current system as well as offering residents an economic incentive to recycle more of their rubbish.

Arlene Miller, the committee member who is the state Department of Environmental Protection's municipal assistance coordinator for Western Massachusetts, told selectmen the issue of instituting a pay-as-you-throw system is a political one.

"It takes political courage to adopt pay-as-you-throw," Miller said. "There are always going to be naysayers because it is a change.

"This is kind of like a tax, but hidden as a fee," Selectboard Chairman Gregory R. Sheehan said. However, Sheehan added that he could do a better job of excluding his recyclables from his trash than he is now.

"I think you've done a great job," Selectman Carlene C. Hamlin said. "I'm a huge advocate of pay-as-you-throw."

The system recommended by the committee also would include having bags available all over town, a per household trash fee of $96 a year and a $10 annual fee to use the town's Recycling Center. Based on households generating 1.5 bags of trash a week, the committee figures that the program would break even, not counting revenues from the town's landfill. The landfill has permits to operate until Dec. 31, but officials are working to get permission to extend that, pending development of various expansions.

Department of Public Works Superintendent James M. Reidy said the earliest a new system could be implemented would be July 1, the beginning of fiscal year 2011.

Sewer rate hike OK'd

Sunday, September 20, 2009
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - The Selectboard has opted unanimously to increase the household sewer rate for the current fiscal year from $225 to $240 and from $240 to $265 per household for fiscal 2011, the following year. Last year, the town increased the sewer rate from $175 to $225 per household.

Officials approved the most recent increases Tuesday on the recommendation of Department of Public Works Superintendent James M. Reidy. He said a survey shows that even with the increase this year, South Hadley's sewer bills when compared with those of 21 surrounding communities as of Sept. 11 will be the second lowest. The study has South Hadley's rate tied with Ludlow's as the second lowest bill with the lowest being West Springfield at $200. The survey put the highest average bill at $663 in Belchertown.

Reidy proposed instituting increases over this year and next year instead of all this year to avoid rate shock.

"We want to spread these increases out so it isn't so painful," the public works superintendent said.

Selectman Marilyn G. Ishler asked Reidy how he is progressing on the switch to a system whereby bills will be based on usage. Under the current system, all households pay the same rate regardless of usage.

"There are some hurdles. I don't foresee doing that in the near future," Reidy said, adding that there are issues with software he needs to resolve and that he needs to set the rates now.

Reidy said the rate changes will help deal with increases in wages and retirement costs as well as to assist in paying down the debt service on $4.5 million in loans taken out for improvements completed this spring at the wastewater treatment plant.

Selectman Carlene C. Hamlin, who is also the town's clerk-treasurer, said the wastewater treatment plant account is taking a major reduction as part of writing off losses in the town's investment portfolio.

Selectman Robert G. Judge made the motion to increase the sewer rates.

Sewer bills will be mailed out sometime before Oct. 1 along with second quarter property tax bills. The sewer bills will be due Nov. 16 and the property taxes Nov. 1.