Special article added as Saugus talks trash policy

SAUGUS – The Saugus Board of Selectmen voted Tuesday night to add an article to special Town Meeting that will give the Town Meeting authority to approve any changes to trash and recycling policies.One provision in the article states, “Any establishment, change, or implementation of rules and regulations? relative to the collection of solid waste, trash, recycling? shall occur after being approved by a majority vote of an Annual or Special Town Meeting.”The vote came a month after the Board of Health?s new trash reduction program, which limited trash pickup to three 35-gallon barrels. After the town received numerous complaints about the barrel size, the limit was bumped up to 45 gallons. This, however, caused some confusion among residents.Town Meeting member Maureen Dever said people need to have an option to go over three barrels if they need to, while still allowing the Board of Health to increase recycling.?I think this bylaw addresses all of these concerns,” said Dever. “And it allows the Board of Health to do what?s appropriate.”In June, Town Meeting voted to send a proposed $2 trash overflow fee back to the selectmen, stating that any trash fees must be established through a bylaw proposed by the Board of Selectmen and adopted by Town Meeting.The Board of Health, however, still went ahead with the three-barrel limit starting Aug. 1 without the fee. Now anything more than three barrels of trash will not be collected.Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian said the fee “may be a good idea,” but said he wants to see it come before Town Meeting for a vote.?Town Meeting asked the Board of Selectmen to take a look at this issue and propose a bylaw so that that option can be presented to Town Meeting,” said Manoogian. “Let Town Meeting decide.”However, Joe Vinard, chairman of the Board of Health, said while he?s more than willing to work with Town Meeting members, the current article is being “shoved down the throats of the Board of Health.”?Our meetings are open,” said Vinard. “They?re posted, they are now televised. There?s no push back here from us not wanting to be cooperative. The way this article is written ? you?re conflicting with Massachusetts general law.”There will be a Special Town Meeting to vote on the article on Monday, Oct. 3