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Pay As You Throw

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Talk of the Towns

Keyser: Trash Plan Lacks Support

Many comments from folks in both towns have been made opposed to changing the trash plan.

Hopefully, the rain has finally stopped so we can get on with enjoying the nice fall weather. The rain did keep the dust down, as the man says, if nothing else. So, on to things happening in the two towns. And judging by the recent story in Patch.com regarding the pay-as-you-throw trash plan - and the many comments made by folks in both towns - this is one plan that does not enjoy much support with town folks. In reading the many comments, the impression is that most folks feel that it’s a tax, regardless of how its listed. And most folks who made comments on the possible trash plan also felt that they are already paying for the weekly trash pickup when they pay their real estate tax bill. In reading over the many comments, one comment …

Friday, September 9, 2011

Letter to the Editor: How Much Should We Recycle?

Hamilton resident Keating Willcox cites an article that raises questions about how much recycling makes sense.

To the Editor: For the sake of argument, an extreme position against recycling would be to end any recycling, and an extreme position for recycling would be a Japanese style, more than 20 categories to sort - total recycling. Let us simply examine the question near a middle position, "other than recycling cans, should Hamilton do more or less recycling?" Let me offer this interesting article as evidence that we should do less recycling, or at least no more than we do now. From the Property and Environment Research Center: Recycling is not always the environmentally correct choice. Many items we recycle come from abundant raw materials and are inert and harmless when dumped. It costs more to recycle these than to bury the used and …

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Robert Gates

11:20 am on Sunday, September 11, 2011

Please refrain from accusations that another commenter is an "idiot." There is a healthy debate about the issue hapenning here - please keep that the focus.   more ›

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Sept. 9

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Friday, Sept. 9. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Sun: Yes, we are expected to see the sun on Friday. While the sun did peek out from behind the clouds on Thursday afternoon, Friday is expected to be somewhat sunny day with temperatures in the 70s. 2. Pay-as-you-throw: The number one thing people seem to be talking about in the two towns lately is a plan to charge a per bag fee to throw out trash. But there’s myriad of options for how the system may work and Hamilton selectman Marc Johnson is holding a “working session” at 9 a.m. on Friday at Hamilton Town Hall to meet with anyone who is interested in running through the number for some of the models. 3. Wenham War Memorial: Today is the deadline set by the Wenham Board …

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

One 'Free' Small Bag Added as Trash Fee Option

Further details were discussed on Tuesday night about a pay-as-you-throw trash fee proposal that is being considered in Hamilton and Wenham.

A plan to allow one “free” half bag has been introduced as one of the possible options for a proposed pay-as-you-throw trash fee program in both towns. The option was introduced Tuesday night as the Hamilton and Wenham Boards of Selectmen met jointly at Hamilton Town Hall to hear more about the proposal. About 20 members of the public filled the chairs in the Memorial Room to listen. A few of them were given a chance to speak, with many expressing skepticism and criticism of the plan while other expressing support. Some new details were unveiled about how the plan may work out. Hamilton Town Manager Michael Lombardo said the existing plans call for a $1.75 charge for a large trash bag and $1 for a small bag. But in a two page memo …

Wendy Waller

9:56 am on Thursday, September 8, 2011

While I understand the importance of recycling and reducing solid waste (I do recycle and compost) I resent the idea of having to pay for a basic government service - regular trash collection. I pay hefty property taxes, my children are grown and did not attend the local schools, so what am I getting for my tax dollars if I have to pay for every service? Trash costs are de minimus when compared …   more ›

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Sept. 6

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Tuesday, Sept. 6. Here are five things you need to know: 1. Weather: Tuesday will be one of the first rainouts in a while. The day is forecasted to be mostly rainy, with temperatures in the mid-60s. 2. Flying Horse Sculpture Exhibit: Pingree School opens an outdoor sculpture show - Flying Horse Sculpture Exhibit - on Tuesday with work from 18 artists on display. It is open to the public on the school’s 100-acre campus. A formal opening will be held on Sept. 18 from 3-5 p.m. at Pingree’s library. 3. Gordon Shuttle: For the second year, Gordon College will get together with Endicott College in Beverly to provide a free shuttle for students to get to a downtown Beverly coffee shop or the mall. The shuttle runs Thursday through Sunday…

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