trash pg 1 5-2-24
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This is it! Trash program starts now
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Casella Waste Inc. said although there were a “couple hiccups” in the changeover to the town’s new trash program, all will be in place when the new program starts May 1.
Casella’s Marc Morgan, Strategic Account Manager, Municipal Services, said any problems with service or carts (bins) would be handled by Casella, either through the email button on the company’s “Recycling 101” app or by calling 860-423-4527. Check the app to see if your pickup day changed. Recycling pickup will be every other week.
Putnam’s tax collector’s office will handle any questions on billing/payments. 860-963-6800, ext. 804.
Waste Support Systems of Windham, N.H. distributed the carts recently — approximately 5,000 trash and recycle bins.
On May 1 the new program kicks in. Casella will be using automated side arm trash trucks to pick up Casella trash carts and recycle bins. Therefore there will be no pickups of trash or recycle for residents not in the new program, nor for trash in a bag with a sticker on it placed on the ground.
The town asks that stickers continue to be used on the bags inside the carts until June 30. After that, the stickers will no longer be used. Town Administrator Elaine Sistare had said earlier that the town will probably stop selling stickers to the vendors June 1.
Carts should be placed on a flat surface at least 3 feet apart, with the front facing the road. For the arm to swing the trash cart to the top of the truck there should be 10 to 12 feet of clearance from tree branches, etc. Morgan said many people put the trash cart on one side of the driveway and the recycle ccart on the other side of the driveway. The carts should be clear of snow, landscaping, mail boxes and utility poles.
The carts have a serial number printed on them and an RFID tag. The trash truck driver will have a tablet that shows his stops. If the wrong bin or too many bins are out — not in line with what the tablet says — the driver will notify dispatch and a cart crew will take care of the problem.
The bill will be included in the tax bill with half the payment due in July and the other half in January.
The bill for eligible residents with a 65-gallon trash cart and the recycling cart will be $350 for the year (payment split in two, like the tax bill) The cost for 95-gallon trash cart and the recycle cart is $395 for the year.
Bulky waste had been handled with stickers for decades. You put a sticker on a bed frame and put it out for collection, said Highway Superintendent Travis Sirrine.
Beginning May 1 bulky waste will no longer be picked up curbside. The town’s Bulky Waste Collection will be May 18 at the Putnam Armory; and Aug. 17and Oct. 26 at the Putnam Middle School. No charge — you just need to show residency. Sirrine had said in January the town is looking into a transfer station that would take all waste except household garbage, but that’s sometime, perhaps, in the future.
The Highway Garage, 151 Fox Road will still accept mattresses, tires, electronics, and white goods during normal business hours. M-F 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM and the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month between 9 AM and 12:00 PM. Closed on holidays
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