Swampscott board OKs trash fee

SWAMPSCOTT – Selectmen voted 3-2 to approve a $2 fee for trash exceeding a three-barrel limit as established in a Board of Health proposal, favoring projected financial and economic benefits over concerns of imposing a mandate and additional “tax.” But the board also decided to review the fee before the regulation’s trash limit is scheduled to decrease further.”The number one mandate is that you have to pay taxes; the number one complaint is that we pay too much taxes,” said Selectman Richard Malagrifa at the board’s Tuesday night meeting. “There are limited number of ways we can save in the budget ? I think we should take advantage of this.”The Board of Health Solid Waste and Recycling Regulation requires $2 stickers for trash exceeding the capacity of three “acceptable waste disposal containers” – defined as plastic bags up to 30 gallons in capacity and/or barrels with a capacity of up to 35 gallons. The regulation – which needed selectmen approval for the fee, but Board of Health member Dr. Lawrence Block said the board would sign immediately – will begin Oct. 1.This is the third Board of Health proposal including elements of a pay-as-you-throw system – which promotes waste reduction and recycling by charging for trash disposal. Both previous plans were rejected by the board of selectmen over concerns that such a system added fees to taxpayers.That concern – and objection to issuing a “mandate” on trash – resurfaced Tuesday night.”I can’t get beyond the fee,” said Chair Matthew Strauss, who joined Selectman David Van Dam in voting against the fee. While Strauss – like each selectman – said that he agreed with the goal of increasing recycling and reducing waste, he said that he has been “inundated” with objections to what he characterized as, essentially, another tax.”Residents pay a property tax and they get a service,” he said. “People feel like they’re taxed to death and another fee is not going to help things.”But Selectman Jill Sullivan objected to characterizing the sticker cost as an additional “tax.” She also agreed with resident Mary DiChillo, who told selectmen that she viewed reducing trash and recycling as “being a good citizen.” Sullivan said that, most importantly, the proposal will save the town money by reducing the amount of trash that the town pays to dispose.”We’re going to pay for it one way or another through the cost of hauling away that extra barrel,” Sullivan said. “There’s a lot of examples of things we have to do to live as a society.”In other business selectmen extended a special vendor permit for Paul Foglia, of Rory’s Corp, to continue selling hot dogs and other concessions at Phillips Beach. Selectmen said that a two-week trial period had been successful, and voted to allow Foglia to extend his hours to Friday through Sunday – as well as Labor Day – from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Foglia will continue to remove trash from the beach in lieu of a fee.Selectmen signed a conservation easement on portions of a 6.5-acre waterfront property called Blythswood. Located on Littles Point next to Marian Court College, the property will have a nature trail with public access.State Senator Tom McGee (D-Lynn) joined selectmen in officially commending Veterans Officer Jim Shultz for his work organizing the June Veteran’s Parade.