Tri-community to vote on pay-as-you-throw
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill are one step closer to approving the Pay-As-You-Throw program as proposed by the city of Presque Isle, following tentative approval by officials of the three towns. Voters will have a final say on the matter when they cast their votes in March during their respective town meetings.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
TALKING TRASH — Presque Isle City Manager Jim Bennett is pictured explaining the Pay-As-You-Throw program to residents of Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill during a recent meeting at the Mapleton Elementary School. Looking on is Martin Puckett, town manager of the three communities.
Martin Puckett, who serves as town manager for the towns, joined Presque Isle City Manager Jim Bennett at Mapleton Elementary School just over a week ago, where they met with over 100 residents for a discussion similar to the one held recently in Washburn.
Bennett provided an overview of the program, explaining the different bag sizes and types and what could be put in each. PAYT bags will come in two sizes: 13 gallon kitchen-sized and the larger 30-gallon bags designed to hold up to 25 pounds of trash. The smaller bags will cost $1.45 apiece, while the 30-gallon bags will go for just over $3 a bag.
“Bags will be sold in rolls of five,” said Bennett. That means the kitchen variety will sell for about $7.25 for a package of five, while the larger ones will sell for around $15 for five. Bags will be available for purchase at local stores, as well as municipal offices.
Bennett also discussed how it’s hoped implementation of the program will lead to increased recycling. He noted that every effort will be made to find ways to improve recycling, with the goal to sell or give away as much as possible and thus reduced the amount of trash going into the landfill.
“Funds raised through recycling will go into the Solid Waste Department’s account to offset the cost of the landfill,” said Bennett, indicating this could, over time, result in a cost savings to participating communities through increased revenue to the department, as well as reducing the amount of trash being disposed of and thus extending the life of the landfill.
Many in attendance raised questions about recycling, indicating a lack of knowledge on what is or isn’t recyclable. Bennett told them Dana Fowler, director of the Solid Waste Department, planned to mail packets to households with sample bags, including blue recycle bags, as well as information on what types of materials are currently being recycled in Presque Isle.
Puckett said although the program hasn’t formally been voted on by residents, plans are to take part in curbside pickup beginning March 7, the same as the other communities who’ve already approved it, with pick-up schedules varying by community. He said if residents vote against the program, town officials will have to determine a different option for trash disposal.
Under the new landfill rules, tipping fees will rise from $32.50 to $90 per ton. Curbside pickup applies to residences of up to four units only.
Businesses and larger housing units will pay $90 per ton to dispose of their garbage.
Voting will take place later in March for all three communities.
For more information, contact 764-3754.
