City Council gives final OK to pay-to-throw plan
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City councilors gave final approval to the Pay-as-You-Throw Program during their regularly-scheduled meeting Monday at City Hall.
Despite public comment seeking the matter be tabled until it could be reviewed more closely, councilors passed the measure that will provide free curbside pickup of trash and recyclables for residents of Presque Isle, charging those who use the program based on the size and number of bags picked up.
Presque Isle resident Pat Cote expressed concern over the fact the city currently recycles glass but under the new program glass would not be collected curbside.
“We’re working with the haulers to address that issue,” said City Manager Jim Bennett. “We won’t have it right out of the gate but about 90 percent will be done.”
Cote also commented on the lack of recycle bins within the city and how that hinders citizens from disposing of such materials. Council Chair Jennifer Trombley indicated she’d looked into the matter but that the color-coded bins cost more than the city could afford.
Trash compacting was another matter of concern for Cote, who questioned how many pounds would be accepted at the curb without costing extra.
“What do you do if you have a trash compactor? That makes trash weigh more than 25 pounds,” said Cote.
Bennett said haulers have been told not to pick up over 25 pounds and that efforts are being made to “deal with it (heavier trash).”
Cote also questioned how the city could pick two haulers to service the community without going through the bid process.
“I don’t recall seeing any bids for this. Is this something the city regularly does without going to bid? Do you think this is best for the citizens?” asked Cote.
Bennett said the city usually does go out to bid but that the “Council decided this was the best way to proceed with service, to go with the two haulers we’ve been dealing with.”
Greg Shemkovitz, a resident of the city, said his bill would go up considerably, since he has a baby and diapers aren’t recyclable.
“Right now if you have a transfer station sticker you can throw 75 pounds a week. With PAYT, to throw the same amount goes up considerably in cost,” said Shemkovitz.
Adolph Shemkovitz questioned the stocking of bags and suggested the city take “more time to discuss before implementing” the program.
Bennett said there would be those who would hate the system because their costs will go up, while others will love it because their costs will go down.
Cote said he understood the hospital, colleges and others create more trash but he felt this was “putting a new tax on people.”
“Why not just raise the tipping fee, not force people who are already recycling (to use the program). I don’t think it’s fair to the citizens of Presque Isle. I don’t think the Council went in the right direction,” said Cote.
“To make a blanket statement that this is an overall increase — I’ve done some checking and found it will save some, especially senior citizens. There are winners and there are losers. It will change how we pay for things. It will change how we generate trash,” said Bennett.
Councilor Don Gardner asked how, with the cleanup that comes with warmer temperatures, citizens will be able to dispose of brush and lawn debris, which in the past was accepted at the transfer station.
“There’s no charge for compost — branches of an inch or smaller — and it will continue to be accepted at the landfill and transfer station,” said Dana Fowler, director of the Solid Waste Department.
To help alleviate concerns and answer questions, the city will be mailing out an informational packet to citizens that will include data on what’s recyclable and sample bags.
“My sense is the mailer will alleviate 90 percent of the questions. We’ll have contact information in there. We’re doing a lot to be sure staff can answer questions,” said Bennett.
Trombley said anyone with questions should call the city and not the haulers.
While curbside pickup will be free for residents, under the new program businesses and non-profits will now pay $90 a ton for garbage disposal — up from $32.50 per ton last year. Residents will be required to use the specified bags to ensure curbside pickup.
“As long as it’s in the right bag, the hauler will pick up,” said Bennett.
Bags will be sold at participating local retailers and at some town offices.
For more information, contact 760-2707.
