Pay-As-You-Throw
a bad deal for small towns
To the editor:
“Washburn feels pushed to join PAYT” (Star-Herald Jan. 12, 2011) should be a wake-up call to all residents of Washburn and other towns in the Presque Isle landfill. The city is going to a pay-as-you-throw system for household garbage. The towns have not been included in the discussions. James McCarty even cited that the city breached their own contract with the communities that use the landfill because the city manager did not consult with the towns before prices are set. They went ahead and did it on their own.
The city manager knows what is in the contract. But no one in city government wants non-city residents to know what is going on. The city does not include towns in the decision-making process anymore like it did in the past. The reason is simple: money.
Operating a landfill has fixed costs. When Presque Isle reduces its garbage volume through pay-as-you-throw, who do you think will pick up the additional costs? Has anyone from the city shared what this will mean for the small towns? No. Hang on to your wallets and pocketbooks. Small non-city towns are going to get hit hard.
Our town councilors should look into joining Tri-Community Landfill. At least they aren’t so arrogant.
James Clark
Washburn
