Regular trash pickup slated to resume next month; trailer on order

Residents will have to wait until mid to late August before the town resumes its traditional trash pickup.

A trash compactor trailer is on order and should arrive toward the end of next month, according to Town Manager Jeff Bridges.

The issue has been brought up at several Board of Selectmen’s meetings as well as the most recent Finance Committee session.

Bridges explained at a meeting that the two previous trailers were both old and in poor condition. In addition, they had not been inspected in years and needed to be removed from operation.

In the meantime, the town is using temporary dumpster containers and asking residents to get rid of trash bags in those at least for another month.

Several years ago, Flexcon gave $130,000 to the town and $120,000 of that money will be used for one trailer, which was ordered back in January.

Bridges explained (the product) takes so long to obtain because they must be made to order.

Selectman Ralph Hicks said he has been hearing from residents about the dumpster service.

“There are steps that go up and they need a railing,” Hicks said at a meeting. “I’m talking elderly people and people with medical conditions…To throw a bag up there is not an easy thing when those bags are full.”

Utilities and Facilities Superintendent Peter Boria said whenever possible, there will be personnel at the transfer station to “direct and assist residents,” with the temporary measures.

“I know if the guys see someone struggling, they will offer to help. But if they are busy doing other things…” Hicks responded, it may not always be possible.

Hicks suggested that the town use American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds to buy a second, backup trailer so the town will not run into this situation again if something goes wrong with the first. He asked that the matter be put on a future Board of Selectmen agenda for discussion.

“We’ll see,” said Board of Selectmen Chair John Howard.

Spencer resident Matt Defosse, addressing the FinCom, said getting a backup is a good idea.

FinCom members also expressed concern for Spencer residents trying to dispose of their trash.

Member David Zanauskas spoke about the absence of handicapped parking near enough and the difficulty older individuals and others have moving around in that area with steps involved.

“Someone is going to get hurt,” he said.

He asked whether there could be a drive-thru setup whereby town employees could remove the bags from people’s trunks and handle the disposal of them.

“That’s a great idea,” Bridges said.

The town manager added that going forward, the trailer will be required to be inspected regularly so it will not have to be pulled off the road.

For more information, call: (508) 885-7515.