Henry Raymond

Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: 7F24 on February 15, 2016, 09:37:28 AM

Title: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: 7F24 on February 15, 2016, 09:37:28 AM

I like what we've had, curbside is so easy, and helps keep the town clean.  I do hate that Casella can't  figure out a way to recycle plastic bags, while the district can.  Unfortunately we don't have the option of both.  If we stay with curbside it has to be fair to all.  Each household pays the same, apartments pay by the units, not the single tax bill.  We have a vote coming, what do you think?

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: trussell on February 15, 2016, 10:00:34 AM

Personally, having the costs included in my taxes works out better for me financially... but at the same time when people have a direct vested (monetary) interest in something, it automatically leads to better compliance.  If a homeowner were charged say $2.00 for each bag to be picked up but recycling is free then I bet 9 out of 10 people will do all they can to recycle.  But if they don't have to pay directly then they have less of a financial reason to comply.

The idea that the absence of town-sponsored trash removal will lead to littering is incredibly dated.  Fairfax is one of the few towns in the area- and probably the state as well- that pays for trash removal through taxes and I don't see our roadsides any less littered than other towns.  I see just as many trash bags waiting for pickup after Green Up Day as any other area too. 

This topic also seems to consume an incredible amount of the Select Board's time so why not just follow the good work that so many other towns have done and just join the local Solid Waste District?

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: 7F24 on February 15, 2016, 10:05:01 AM

From what I understand the annual payment will be on the tax bill.  What I meant was you pay by units, one tax bill could cover five apartments...they should pay for five, not one.

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: ohhman on February 15, 2016, 02:14:18 PM

I agree! Curbside is hopefully the way we continue to go; YES for one tax bill for landlords to cover ALL of their apartments ( pay for 5 not for 1)

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: johnmitchell on February 16, 2016, 08:21:14 AM

My opinion is that curbside should remain and each unit should pay.  If the numbers are correct it will cost more, including time and transportation, to take our own trash/recycle to Georgia transfer station than it will to retain curbside pickup.  Having said that, it is imperative to keep some competition in the bidding process.  It is also my opinion that this should be a line item on all tax bills and all parcels of land and dwelling units should pay.

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: RidgeRunner on February 17, 2016, 01:39:17 PM

I missed the meeting so didn't get the entire brief but from what I understand keeping what we have will cost a significant amount more than going to the district as well as free the town up from potential penalties. Can anyone confirm this?  If we go to the district I also understand that individuals can arrange for curbside pick up on their own, is this correct?  I was also under the impression that groups like condo associations, neighborhoods etc.. could negotiate a group rate.  Not certain how I am going to vote on this one....

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mrs.freddie on February 17, 2016, 03:05:37 PM

RidgeRunner-I support joining the district based on the fact that they will handle the reporting to the State, i,e, the Town of Fairfax Select Board will not have to do all the leg work to contract a qualified solid waste professional, and the Town will have to ensure the report is in compliance with all aspects that are mandatory per Act 148. Even if the Town sub-contracts out the state reporting, the Town is still responsible if there are errors, etc.  I work for CSWD and we are responsible for the state reporting for Chittenden County, and have several full time staff members doing that work.  The reporting requires staff for physical business outreach, school outreach, community outreach driving around presenting to kids, holding composting workshops, etc..plus, submit all the materials used to educate these entities, along with the count of how many businesses, children, residents were educated.  Holding 2 household hazardous waste events is the state requirement, and Fairfax did not hold the second one last year. That information was relayed to me by my colleague at the state, and I brought it to the attention of the Select Board this past May.  It's a big deal and there are penalties if the report is unsatisfactory or incomplete.  There are no 'trash police', but there are potential fines for the Town if this reporting is not done right, and the Town needs to 'prove' the hauler we've contracted is also in compliance with Act 148's Pay-As-You-Throw pricing requirements, etc.

Joining the district would eliminate thist pretty big problem.  Then residents can subscribe to whatever hauler gives them the best deal (haulers are required to incentive customers to contract lower volume (64 gallons or less) trash picup and/or lower frequency of service (weekly recycling pickup, bi-weekly trash pickup, etc).  Residents can then decide to group service with neighbors so one truck services that area, and they would be able to shop around for the best rates. 

I was told the Casella bid is for a 4-year contract.  I am not in favor of paying the same amount for my trash pickup when I have a small 32G container and 4 overflowing recycle bins, and my neighbor has 10 bags of trash on the curb every week.  I could contract with a private hauler for bi-weekly trash and weekly recycling and pay significantly less than what is proposed.  It was said at the meeting on Thurs night that the Article would be 'non-binding' if residents vote to continue Town-contracted curbside,  and that they would send out an RFP to more haulers (Gauthier's, Myers, Clean Green, Casella, etc) for residents to compare proposals.  If residents vote no, the Town moves to join the Northwest Solid Waste District, and I'm in full support of that option.   

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: RidgeRunner on February 17, 2016, 11:53:19 PM

Thanks Mrs.freddie. That makes sense to me and is a great fact based answer.

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: roadrnnr on February 18, 2016, 05:38:46 PM

Is the amount they are proposing just a continuation of what we have now? The money stated is for the whole contract right, not added to what we allready pay, to cover some new regulation.

If I figured right by using 4285 residents the numbers they presented are only about 3 bucks a week per person.

Looks like doing our own would be much more.

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: trussell on February 18, 2016, 10:24:55 PM

roadrnnr- I think you'd want to divide that by the number of households though- which is around 2,000 I think.

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: roadrnnr on February 19, 2016, 08:42:32 AM

Quote from: trussell on February 18, 2016, 10:24:55 PM

roadrnnr- I think you'd want to divide that by the number of households though- which is around 2,000 I think.

Yeah I realized my mistake after I posted this. So Lets say $650000/2000=$6.25 week

At $4.50 a bag on our own looks like the town option is much better

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: 7F5 on February 19, 2016, 10:05:38 AM

I think a town wide program is the way to go. Put the garbage on the curb or at the end of road and it goes away once a week. No having to go to Georgia to meet their hours of operation. No having to hire your own hauler, who may increase your rates in a month or two like some satellite TV provider do to you. Just my thoughts.

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mrs.freddie on February 19, 2016, 03:11:51 PM

If it were a matter of just putting your trash and recycling at the end of the driveway and it going away, then yes, curbside through the town taxes would be fine.  However, it's not just the trash pickup service we are contracting for...the Town also needs to have someone to do the legwork for the state reporting requirements and someone qualified to actually write the report.  The Selectboard (SB) sent the first of the reporting for this new law into the state for approval and it was denied because it did not have sufficient details about how the Town was going to manage the leg work of educational outreach to schools, businesses and the community with boots on the ground presenting at all these places about waste management.  The Town then needed to revise, update and I would assume put a lot more man hours into re-submitting the report. That's just the beginning...reporting gets much more involved and technical as the new organics diversion laws go into effect over the next several years. 

There is no one on staff for any of the haulers (that I know of and I work closely with all of them in CSWD for my job) that have staff dedicated (or even qualified) to do the mandatory, very technical, state reporting...they are not a solid waste entity, they do not have to do any of the reporting the districts have to do and would likely have to sub-contract a solid waste professional to do this work for us.  I personally have been called by 2 haulers asking if I would provide consulting services they could add to their proposal for the town (after they heard there would be an RFP, as stated by the SB at the special meeting)...that kind of confirms my theory. 

The Northwest Solid Waste District would assume all the responsibility for doing the outreach (they have staff at the district hired for school, business, community outreach), creating the report and assuring it's accuracy and completion by the deadline each year.  Fairfax did not have an approved state plan by July 1, 2015, did not have an approved trash ordinance for haulers that require them to provide residents with disposal options based on how much trash they put on the curb each week, and this is all public information that anyone can call the Agency of Natural Resources to confirm.  Knowing what I do from my job, the penalties the Town (or any solid waste entity) faces from the state are legit, and our SB needs to make sure whoever does our reporting knows this law intimately.  Not me, please...I do this all day every day...I value my free time way too much to be a economical option :) 

My impression from the meeting...was that our taxes would go up if we contracted with Casella...our contract with Duffy's came out of our taxes and this new Casella bid is an additional cost to residents...?  This is what was not clear at the meeting...I do not think that contracting with Casella saves us anything, and thought our taxes would go up significantly with this contract(?)...joining the NWSWD is a one-time buy in that the Town would pay over several years at $2.50 per capita (per person), with a yearly cost of $1 per capita.  I'd like to see the figures side by side that shows the actual cost to residents for all 4 years for the Casella contract, vs the District buy in and yearly cost.  I'd also like to see the other haulers submit proposals and I am positive that Casella's bid will be a lot different when they're competing for our service with Myers and Gautheir, etc.  Myers wasn't even contacted to submit a proposal to the Town, according to one rep that was at the meeting. 

Just a thought: Fairfax could still decide to contract with a single hauler to service the town if that's what residents wanted...Westford contracts with Gauthier to service the town and they're a member of CSWD, as does Underhill with Clean Green.  I've worked with the Town of Westford and Gauthier this past year getting them in compliance with Act 148...I suggest our SB contact Westford for more details...residents still pay for curbside service through property taxes, but get all the benefits of belonging to CSWD (drop off centers, free hazardous waste days, tire take-back days, a lot more recycling options for materials that can't go in your blue recycling bin, etc).  I'd love to see the SB explore this option with the Northwest SWD, which I'm not even sure they're aware of as I've not heard it mentioned. 

     

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: BHA on February 27, 2016, 06:14:00 PM

I went to the Thursday info meeting and the town meeting.

It bothers me that the cost of "keep it as it is" with Cassella is really fuzzy. They have their initial price but that includes new large trash barrels that a truck can pick up (and apparently they need a new truck to do this). But we don't HAVE to get new barrels, we could stick with what we have now and it would cost less. And there could be every week service for both trash and recycles or every other week for trash and every week for recycles or other unknown options. I'm not sure how one is supposed vote for a budget item when they truly have no idea how much it is going to cost or what they are buying.

We did find out today at town meeting what it currently costs each of us. Their numbers are always "per household" but that is very misleading. The truth is that $0.09 of the $0.4838 municipal tax is for trash. Multiply your grand list value by 9 cents to see what you are paying specifically for curbside trash pickup. Some examples:

grand list	per year	per month	per week
$100,000	$90	$7.50	$1.73
$200,000	$180	$15.00	$3.46
$300,000	$270	$22.50	$5.19

The numbers they gave us suggest the cost will be about double what we currently pay. Or less than double, again the fuzzy numbers and service level make it impossible to know. They also talked about having a fixed cost per household instead of linking to the grand list. But they won't decide how we will pay until the vote happens and (obviously) only if the majority vote yes. In reality, both options are unfair since some people generate very little trash and recycle every scrap they can. Others are the opposite, perhaps not recycling at all.

Obviously someone with a low grand list value does better with continuing curbside pickup, especially if they have a 30 gallon bag every week. No driving to drop it off and less than the $4 they would pay at the transfer station. This same person would pay a lot more if they had to contract with a hauler. On the other hand, a 15 gallon bag costs $2 with NWSWD so if they generated little trash, it will cost them more to continue curbside pickup, especially if they happen to drive by one of the transfer stations on a regular basis.
 
For me, personally, I lived in South Burlington for 28 years and never paid for curbside pickup. I had a trash compactor and once a month or so would add a trip to the transfer station on Patchen Road to my Saturday errands. How often that happened was usually determined by when the 4 blue bins were full. We would smash down cans and plastic milk bottles etc. They charged $2.50 for a compactor bag. $2.50/month or $35/month? It was not a hard decision for me. We don't generate any more trash here in Fairfax (probably less with a daughter at college out of state 9 months of the year) but with curbside pickup we don't bother with efficiency in filling the blue bins. I think we would all agree curbside is very convenient but as others mentioned, where is the incentive to put as little as possible in the waste stream if one pays the same amount whether something goes in the trash or a recycle bin?

With regard to trash on the roads, I really don't know how many people would litter vs go to the transfer station or contract a hauler. I do know that the trash barrel I am using was free. I found it in the wetland area on my property after a very strong wind on trash day. I placed it at the "curb" and left it there for 2 weeks, no one came to claim it. Likewise, things in uncovered blue bins and trash cans find their way to the roadside before the hauler comes through. How much of what we find on the side of the road was thrown there and how much was properly put in uncovered blue bins or uncovered trash cans?

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mrs.freddie on February 27, 2016, 10:24:09 PM

I tragically missed this discussion at Town Meeting today, but maybe someone can fill me in...

If Article 3 passes, it's non-binding, so the plan is the Town will send out an RFP to get more competitive bids, then residents vote again?  I've already gotten 2 flyers in the mail from haulers wanting my trash and recycling if we ditch town curbside...looks like an open market is getting cheaper and cheaper. 

Also...The District buy-in is $2.50 per person, so that's $10 for my family of 4 and we're able to use the NWSWD drop-off if we vote no?  Then, it's a buck a person a year after that?  So, $4/ yearly after the initial $10 buy-in or am I missing something?  Then, $24/month is the cheapest rate, so far, for curbside if I call them myself.  Or I can bring a few bags of trash to a drop-off for $10-$15/month, which would be my first choice.

What don't we know about the Casella bid that is driving the board to push so hard in that direction?  It's not saving residents money as people have shown in these threads, it's not ensuring compliance with Act 148 for the Town as I've explained many times and further below, and we haven't seen the expenses itemized on the proposal to consider what 'services' Casella is actually charging us for...?  The board stated at the special meeting they called around for quotes, and only heard from Casella.  Myers was there and called B.S...stated no one from the Town of Fairfax has contacted them for a quote since 2013.  So...which is it?  Why are we only looking at what someone called the 'Cadillac Casella plan'? 

BHA-I work for CSWD and residents love our drop-off centers.  Customers make bringing their trash and recycling every week a social event.  Truly, people love chatting with their neighbors as they sort bottles and cans, dump their compost buckets, or off-load yard debris.  Our operators know all the customers' names and most people enjoy their experience at these drop-off centers.  You can't beat the per-bag price, you only pay for your own trash, and recycling is always free. 

Act 148 compliance is quantifiable based on whether our Town trash disposal rates are decreasing or not.  Residents have to benefit from Act 148 by seeing a disposal cost-savings when they recycle and compost, and success is measured by how much we continue to throw away as trash.   That liability remains with the Town of Fairfax, no matter who signs the Act 148 report on our behalf.       

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: BHA on February 28, 2016, 02:13:24 PM

In answer to your first question: No. It is Casella. The board, when asked, said they had not heard anything from Myers after the info meetings and no other haulers were bidding.

There was a question at Town Meeting about the liability of not conforming with the Act 148 rules. It will be in the contract that Casella will be liable (and they agree with that) but when pressed, yes if Casella fails and there are fines they are not able to pay, the town is liable. But it does sound like Casella would be 100% responsible for all parts of Act 148 including the SWIT, education, etc. Whether we vote Yes or No, the town Select Board will be out of the trash business with respect to adhering to Act 148.

The second question: Yes. If the town votes No, there will be no town wide single contract curbside pickup and we will join the solid waste district. People can choose to always take their stuff to any transfer station in the district (not all take all items, the Georgia location takes everything the district accepts) or contract for curbside with any hauler or do a combination. I suspect the latter will be the case for a number of people since the waste district takes things the haulers will not. The cost to join and stay with the waste district are not even a decimal point in the town budget.

One thing that was news to me: Fairfax business properties pay the 9 cent trash tax but have to contract for their disposal needs. In other words, they are paying (subsidizing others) for something they can not use.

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mrs.freddie on February 28, 2016, 08:58:25 PM

Thank you, BHA.  Quite honestly, I do not believe there was any additional effort made on the residents' behalf to find the best rate for town curbside after we were shown the Casella bid.  Many residents vocalized they wanted to go out to bid for more competitive rates, and Myers spoke up at the special meeting saying they could compete with what Casella was proposing.  Again, yesterday we're told that no other haulers were bidding?  No RFP like we all wanted?

I emailed my contact Joe Sinagra at Myers, the rep who spoke at the Thursday special meeting,  asking him to confirm that Myers was indeed not interested in bidding on the Town curbside contract.
He responded:
"Katie,
No one has contacted me or the company in regards to a quote. In fact, I called Tom after the meeting and left him a message. I thanked him for letting me speak and told him if he needed anything else please contact me."

I asked if I could quote him, and he replied:
"I don't have a problem with you quoting me that no one from the select board or town has contact acted Myers after the meeting and in fact I said at the meeting we would be interested."

I don't like being deceived into thinking my elected officials are doing their due diligence when they are not.  That's twice now they've been called out for not being truthful about collecting bids.  I have also reached out to my colleagues at Clean Green and Gauthier's asking if they'd been contacted by the Town of Fairfax in the past 2 years. 

Casella inheriting our Act 148 work and accepting responsibility for reporting is fine, however, it's the Town who actually has to reduce trash rates, and that is the real issue not being discussed at these meetings.

Enough with this already.  We aren't being told all the information, and the information we are getting isn't accurate.   It's not the Select Board's job to understand Act 148, and joining the NWSWD will eliminate the need for them to spend any Town time trying to.
 

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mrs.freddie on February 29, 2016, 08:34:56 AM

Gauthier's replied this morning that Fairfax has not requested a bid from them for town curbside since 2013.

Myers called our board chair and left a message offered to bid, and no one from our town called them back.  Myers and Gauthier's are the 2 second largest hauling companies servicing this area, and neither has heard from our select board about this bid? 

Who benefits the most if residents vote yes?   Casella is mailing flyers telling us to vote yes and hire them, so what does that tell everyone? 

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mkr on February 29, 2016, 11:30:17 AM

Just a few thoughts of my own.

No offense, Mrs. Freddie, I do not need a "Social Event" bringing trash. :-) I get you want us to be part of the district, your employer. There is a $40,000-$50,000 for us to join the district plus yearly costs; plus travel to Georgia and back hauling trash which is in my case 10+miles each way. So all things I consider when looking to form my own decision how to vote. Also, Zero sort recycling does not happen at the district so you have to do it yourself there when you drop it off. Also, an additional charge if we are the district that for every ton you charge the town $22 for our trash whether we have it picked up or brought to the facility was also explained Saturday.

Yes there are cheaper haulers out there and I have also heard if you live off the beaten path the lower rates won't be the ones you get. People in Jeffersonville can pay $90 for twice a month trash pick up we learned at town meeting and fight to get the right bill on a regular basis which would also fall on your lap to take care of versus the town.

At town meeting they explained that if we went with "yes" to curbside, they will continue to work with Casella is what it sounds like, they are going to be bringing back a lower price than what we have been currently told so instead of $32 it could be dollars less a month. They will also be covering all of Act 148 reporting/training etc. which was also stated at town meeting and any penalties if not compliant with Act 148 would be pointed back at them meaning Casella.

Something to remember about going on your own and getting your own hauler. How many bags a week do you put out and size, frequency of pick up, what don't they take for trash you might put out (i.e. Round Bail covers) what will your cost be after food/compost takes affect, and also make sure you are talking apples to apples when looking at other haulers.

The select board if they vote is "yes", will be looking to go flat rate for trash. What does that mean? It is currently a % of your property taxes, now a flat fee per parcel would remove the %. So those who have higher assessment for their property is paying the same price as the person next door. This is definitely something I am in favor of if the curbside trash continues.

Whether you vote Yes or No take time to ask the questions and be well informed so you can decide what would be best for you! Look at the facts and not opinions. If you are unsure, the Select Board is great to answer questions. Call your local haulers, talk to surrounding towns in regards to personal experiences.

I hope many of you come out to vote tomorrow!

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: ohhman on February 29, 2016, 12:54:24 PM

Thanks for the info Mary Kay as some are under the impression that joining the district would cost under 10k per year!!  I hope your information is read by many.  I also thank the select board for all they have tried to do!!!

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mrs.freddie on February 29, 2016, 03:07:36 PM

Again, mkr, I do not work for the NWSWD, I work for the CHITTENDEN County Solid Waste district.  Big difference.  Two different municipalities, and we don't make a profit on anyone's trash, we collect a solid waste fee per ton to subsidize all the programs CSWD offers, like drop-off centers and the hazardous waste depot. 

You don't have to take your trash to a drop-off center if we vote no, and the Georgia one is right next to exit 18, which I drive by daily, twice.  Again that's if we join the NWSWD, not CSWD, 2 different, separate, entities. 

How do you figure that expense to join?  It's $2.50 per person to buy in, and that's a one time cost, so, I pay $10 for my family of 4. Then it's $1 per person, per year after. Forever. So, $4 for my family each year.  This is a fraction of a percent on our tax bill.   

Below is the exact information from the NWSWD flyer sent to our board encouraging them to join over a year ago:

Northwest Vermont Solid Waste Management District as an option for solid waste management in the Town of Fairfax.

[/b]

Option 1: Currently, the Town of Fairfax budgets and pays for activities that are required by the State of Vermont such as planning and hazardous waste collections.  A new Solid Waste Management Bill has just passed the Vermont Legislature and a new Solid Waste Implementation Plan is being written by the State.  Moving forward any Municipalities’ Solid Waste plan will require increased services with potentially significant additional costs.

Option 2: The alternative for Fairfax residents to the higher annual costs would be to join the District.  The cost to the Town to become a member community would be:

•   $1.00 per capita annually ($4,285 approx.).  This is all that the Town would be required to budget annually for District activities.
•   A one-time payment of $2.50 per capita ($10,712.00 approx.) to “buy-in” into currently owned District property. Including land in the Town of Sheldon that has been engineered and permitted for use as a regional sanitary landfill, and the District’s Recycling Facility in Georgia.  This payment could be made in installments over a number of years. "


mkr, you state:
They will also be covering all of Act 148 reporting/training etc. which was also stated at town meeting and any penalties if not compliant with Act 148 would be pointed back at them meaning Casella.
I asked this exact question to my contact and friend at the State of Vermont, who co-wrote the law, Act 148 and this is her response:
SWIP reports will show how effective all have been and if any contractor is not effective, the town is who is ultimately responsible for the deliverables and meeting requirements.  Casella, by law, may not assume 100% of the Town of Fairfax liability for Act 148. 

I'm not trying to be a raging a**hole about this!  I do this for a living, so give me some credit that I might know what I'm talking about.   If you don't 'talk trash' all day, every day, this law is confusing.  I have been presenting all facts, no 'opinion' other than that I'm ticked off about the lack of bids and feel deceived because of the false information we were all given as to why.  Read the info from the NWSWD above and check your facts on one of the several links I've provided in previous posts that explain Act 148 in more detail. 

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mkr on February 29, 2016, 03:16:35 PM

I apologize for confusing who you work for Katie.

What about the $22/ton we are going to be charged as well?

Yes all very confusing as each hauler has their own take on things as well as district.

As for travelling to Georgia, I do not go in that direction twice a day so it is not on my route. So yes extra travel for those of us that head in the other direction.

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: LAFVT94 on February 29, 2016, 03:21:29 PM

Thank you to everyone who has provided input, research, opinion and advice on the garbage issue.  It is now up to everyone to vote at polls tomorrow with their choice.  Please get out to vote!!

Whatever the decision, the Board has committed to following through with the wishes of voters which is why, I presume, we were elected to this position; to lead and not dictate.  Since no one is running against one of the long-standing incumbents this year apparently critics of the Board members as individuals wish to remain behind the keyboard and not run for office themselves to see what it entails or understand the work required.  After two public meetings and a well-attended town meeting, the Board has tried to answer the questions of the Fairfax residents and provide the information to the best of our ability.  It is not without "what ifs" or "but fors" and is certainly not perfect - but there has been openness and transparency the entire way.      

I WILL NOT, however, sit quietly and allow any member of the Board to be called a liar or continue to allow information to be disseminated that there are shady ethics, deception or underhanded tactics at play.  If anything, the Board put in extraordinary time to research the trash issue despite no legal obligation to do so.  The easiest decision we could have made when Duffy's pulled out of the contract was to join the District without asking for what the voters desired.  The Board, however, rolled up the sleeves, dug into the issue at hand and has provided resources for each household to weigh the pros and cons of keeping curbside or moving to the District.  
We DENY that any calls have not been returned.  We DENY that we have put out bad information. We ADMIT that our last Board meeting we voted that the project would not go out for further proposals if the Town voted yes to curbside as we have confidence in the programming and price from Casella. The best price isn't always the best option and the lobbying power Casella has in Montpelier should not go without consideration.  It should also be noted that Myers reached out to our current hauler after the first informational meeting and asked to "team up" with them to put a bid in against Casella after the numbers we had were given to the public - which creates further questions as to who can take on the task of handling a municipality's garbage under Act 148 and keep us in compliance.  

Public positions require a higher level of scrutiny - and this isn't my first community service role.  However, personal attacks as to the integrity and truthfulness of those of us on the Board are without merit and do nothing more than distract from the question at hand - do you want to pay for curbside service or wish to take care of your own garbage.   Both choices have positives and negatives - as pointed out on this very list serve.

In closing, and as a reminder to the keyboard warriors who attack Board members or town employees personally from the comfort of their home or office, please note we meet the first and third Monday of each month and welcome your attendance on the record so that everyone has a fair opportunity to respond.  We also welcome volunteers all year long - if you have expertise in something that you see needs attention please volunteer those skills to the Town!  

Thanks for participating in our local democracy and getting out to VOTE tomorrow!

Best, Lauri Fisher, Vice-Chair Select Board

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mkr on February 29, 2016, 03:27:58 PM

Thank you Lauri

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mrs.freddie on February 29, 2016, 04:13:52 PM

Yes, you absolutely do have a legal obligation to figure out the trash here in town.  We're our own District so that's your job, to figure out Act 148.  I'm stating fact not opinion.  Call ANR, I encourage everyone to get their information straight and don't take my word for it.

I personally wasn't behind my keyboard when I came and spoke to you all at your meeting in May, then again a few months ago, then came and spoke at the special meeting.  You didn't like what I had to say back in Mau, which was all facts straight out of Act 148.  That's fine, but they're not my suggestions, they are state law.  I encourage people to check out the minutes of those meetings or the local tv video on the Town website. 

People have the RIGHT to know how deals are made with our tax dollars, and there was no transparency with this Casella bid. That's not slander, that's a fact.  So it's  he-said-she-said and it's annoying. I did my homework, and put up direct quotes and information I've gotten from my colleagues at these hauling companies I've worked with for almost a decade.  People can decide for themselves, and Myers said I could quote him. 

I'm tired of this bs...I'd LOVE to be on the Select Board, and tried to get more involved with the Town on the DRB...but, for some reason, my appointment was denied by the Select Board.   I have done actual volunteering at BFA this year, and still offer the materials I used, and the number of children I spoke to for the report, whoever ends up doing it.

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mrs.freddie on February 29, 2016, 05:35:18 PM

I'm off my 'recyclable' soap box (get it? let's all lighten up, including me) and I retract my post suggesting our board was being dishonest.  Lauri has explained what went into getting Casella's bid, which wasn't made clear previously, and that's all I was looking for.  I work hard at my trash-y day job and was concerned about my taxes being allocated in our best financial interest. I live trash, as glamorous as that sounds, and am happy to continue to volunteer at BFA to educate our kids (and staff!) on what is and isn't recyclable and what they can compost, which is coming down the pike soon!  Community garden grown with compost made from residents food scraps, anyone?  Need to build a compost bin?  I'm totally up for helping out with any of this, and welcome residents to reach out if they're looking to start composting before it becomes mandatory for everyone in 2020.

All's fair in love, trash, and pretty soon, food scraps :)

Vote, do your civic duty, and I'm going to go break down my cardboard soap box and put it in my blue bin.

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: tfence on March 01, 2016, 06:24:30 AM

is there more quotes other than Casella?

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: BHA on March 01, 2016, 06:47:31 AM

Quote from: tfence on March 01, 2016, 06:24:30 AM

is there more quotes other than Casella?

Based on everything presented at the special Thursday meeting and at Town Meeting, No.

Title: Re: Trash removal opinions?
Post by: mkr on March 01, 2016, 06:48:47 AM

Duffy's did put a bid in