The possibility of town-wide curbside trash and recycling pickup, and the implications of that possibility for the future of the transfer station, was the topic of a presentation by Acton Department of Public Works Director Corey York, Acton Director of Sustainability Andrea Becerra, and Financial Solutions Analyst Ellie Anderson, at the Acton Senior Center on September 12, 2023.
An earlier presentation by the same group was made at the May 22, 2023 Acton Select Board meeting, where Town Manager John Mangiaratti said that the motives for considering curbside pickup included the potential for greenhouse gas reduction, and said that the study to be presented had been supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Additional motives were inquiries from new residents to the effect of “When does the trash truck come?”, as well as possible cost reductions compared to current prices for curbside pickup by private haulers.
The presentation was well-attended (this reporter estimates an audience of about forty); when asked how many used the transfer station the great majority raised their hands. The presenters emphasized that the purpose of the presentation was to assess public sentiment, and that the example numbers shown were estimates – “ball-park” numbers. The origins and merit of specific values used as examples were discussed, and the suggestion was made that the numbers chosen might be seen to favor a particular outcome. Both the basis for the example dollar values and the motives for the program were questioned; the phrase “being railroaded” was used.
Audience members spoke of the many benefits of the transfer station – for example large item disposal, the Swap Shop, and as a social meeting place. Mr. York said that the transfer station was financially self-supporting by income from permit sales and recycling.
Audience participation was vigorous, strongly supportive of maintaining the transfer station and generally skeptical of the proposed town-sponsored curbside pickup; although one audience member was supportive of curbside pickup, noting its benefits for working parents of school-age children. Asked whether participation in a town-wide pickup program would be obligatory, the reply was that that decision had not been made; and it was again emphasized that the intent of the forum was to get feedback.
Curbside Trash & Recycling Analysis describes the program. This presentation, (shown at the May 22 Select Board meeting) lists town groups and committees to which the presentation was to be made.
That document (shown at the May 22 Select Board meeting cited above) lists town groups and committees to which the presentation was to be made. As of this writing, no presentation dates or further information was found on the town Public Works or Sustainability web pages.
