Comments on: Short Takes from the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

By: Change leads to Memorial Day parade conflict

Change leads to Memorial Day parade conflict — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:48:14 +0000

[...] no longer. NorthboroNews,org reports parade organizers asked for approval to move the parade from the afternoon to the morning in an effort to increase attendance. After some debate and some [...]

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:11:34 +0000

Thanks for the clarification, Mary. Since Richard Perron wasn’t presenting the proposal at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting, but Gerald Bourque, Ed Bombard and Ron Koshko (two of whom were dressed in Legion dress), it appeared to be an organization decision. I’m gathering there has been differences of opinion, I hope those planning the event can arrive at a compromise to satisfy the needs of the Parade committee, town veterans, the school band and the community who come out to participate and pay tribute.

By: Mary Bombard

Mary Bombard — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:53:52 +0000

It was not the Vincent F. PicardAmerican Legion
Post that wanted to change the Memorial Day Parade in Northborough, it was Richard Perron.

By: Sarah Rothery

Sarah Rothery — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:32:32 +0000

PAYT is not working and that is why the Board Of Selectmen is holding hearings before restructuring the program. All of the taxpayers in town have been supporting the trash program’s deficit for the past few years. That is not how an enterprise fund works. The town needs to let it run as an enterprise fund like the water and sewer fund.

By: Scott Mahoney

Scott Mahoney — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:08:01 +0000

A low yearly fee ($75-$79) and $3.00 large bags will encourage the high volume user to hire a private contractor. PAYT and an enterprise fund are completely different programs. The enterprise fund program will not be self sufficient if the program continuously loses participants. The enterprise fund will not be successful with large numbers of residents paying $75 and putting out 40 bags a year. $75 + (40 x $3)= $195. Unfortunately as more people leave the program the flat fee will have to increase encouraging more people to hire the private hauler. If you disagree with my conclusion please attend either the next SWAC or BOS meeting so that we may hear your arguments. Thank you.

By: Betty Tetreault

Betty Tetreault — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:03:18 +0000

A big THANK YOU to Chris Woodcock. Many residents like to have a fair and equitable trash removal system, but not everyone can say it so nicely in just two sentences. A low yearly fee and keeping the bags at the same price encourages recycling. A high yearly fee encourages people to hire a private hauler.

By: Scott Mahoney

Scott Mahoney — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:59:37 +0000

Chris:

Please explain what kind of program you want. PAYT can be structured many different ways. Thank you.

By: Adele Beatty

Adele Beatty — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:20:41 +0000

Trash Pick-up – The $75 – $79 one time per year flat fee/Keep the trash bags at current rate. Do this for 1 year and then check and see how it worked.

Memorial Day Parade: Advertise 1 month before: Schools (letter home to parents), Posters in Town, Cable, Selectmen, Try new time for one year and then analize.

By: Chris Woodcock

Chris Woodcock — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:14:28 +0000

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE KEEP PAYT. It is fair and equitable and encourages recycling. Don’t fall prey to unfounded fears of switches to private haulers or concerns of the lazy. PAYT works.