Tewksbury OKs $131 One-Time Trash Fee
By Alexandra Mayer-Hohdahl, The Sun, Lowell, Mass.
Aug. 8–TEWKSBURY — Residents can expect to see one more municipal bill in their mailboxes next month, after selectmen unanimously voted to implement a one-time-only townwide trash-collection fee last night.
Residents will have to pay $131.25 per dwelling unit if they want their trash to be collected by the town for nine months starting Oct. 1.
But selectmen were quick to note last night that the trash fee could still be rescinded, if the Legislature overrides a Tewksbury teacher-salary deferral that was unexpectedly vetoed by Gov. Deval Patrick.
The deferral, which Patrick called “fiscally unwise,” would allow the town to use money from its fiscal 2009 budget to pay teachers who will take their fiscal 2008 summer pay in one lump sum.
If it is overridden next month, the deferral will generate $1.25 million to $1.4 million in extra revenue and make a trash fee unnecessary, officials said.
“It’s imperative that people understand that (the trash fee) is a last-resort measure,” Selectman Todd Johnson said last
night. “The salary deferral was always the first choice and it still remains somewhat of a possibility.”
The town is nevertheless poised to send out the trash bills by Sept. 17. Residents may opt out of the town’s trash-collection program, but must show Town Manager David Cressman that they have arranged for alternative recycling and solid-waste collection.
“We have to be fair. We have to give residents a reasonable period of time to opt out,” Cressman said.
One resident last night questioned the rationale behind sending out bills that could end up being canceled.
“A bill should be a bill, not a maybe bill,” former Tewksbury treasurer and collector Warren Carey told selectmen. “I’m telling you, this is a logistical nightmare. There is no perfect way to collect money, but this is a convoluted, ridiculous way of doing it.”
The bills will be payable in two installments, on Oct. 17 and Feb. 17. The trash fee will also limit residents to four 30-gallon trash barrels or four trash bags. Any additional bag will have to feature a sticker that can be purchased for $1 at the town clerk’s office. Recycling will remain unlimited.
“This is a one-time deal,” Selectmen Chairman Jerry Selissen said last night. “We will not revisit this (next year).”
In other business, selectmen voted unanimously to set the town’s third municipal election this year to fill a recently vacated seat on their board.
Selectman John Mackey resigned from the board last month after deciding to move out of Tewksbury. Voters will now choose a replacement for Mackey on Oct. 16, the same day as the 5th District Congressional election.
Mackey is the second selectman to resign this year. Selectman John Ryan left the board in April, expressing a wish to spend more time with his family. Voters will choose a replacement for Ryan on Sept. 4, the same day as the 5th District primary.
“Two elections in the span of 45 days — I don’t think that bodes well for the electoral process,” Johnson said yesterday. “But we’re in uncharted territory here with two resignations. I hope not to see that again.”
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