Trash Program
If you do
nothing,
you signed
up by default
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Less than two months to go for residents’ decisions on the new trash program.
Town Administrator Elaine Sistare said that by May 1, residents will have to have registered their choice for trash disposal. May 1, Casella Waste trash bins will start going out to eligible residents.
If a resident does nothing, he has just signed up for — by default — a 95-gallon trash bin and a 95-gallon recycling bin.
Before May 1 residents can:
1) Do nothing, which will mean you will be getting a 95-gallon trash bin and a 95-gallon recycle bin. (cost $395 per year)
2)  Opt out of the 95-gallon trash can for a 65-gallon trash bin and the 95-gallon recycle bin (cost: $350 per year)
3)  Opt out of the program and find your own private trash company. Also, you need to opt out if you already have your own private trash hauler.
You must receive both trash and recycle bins.
The new program starts July 1. Residents will use the current sticker system on their trash bags inside the new bins from May to July 1.
The trash bill will be separate, in the same envelope as your tax bill. Like your taxes, half the payment is due in July and the other half in January.
Eligible are residential only households — one-family, two-family and three-family. The owner of a two-family home will receive four bins (two trash and two recycling) and be billed $395 times two; three-family times 3.
Four-family and larger, condos and businesses, even small ones, are not eligible for the program and must get their own trash service.
Sistare estimated there are 2,200 eligible residents to start with. The town’s waste disposal cost for the coming fiscal year is $950,000 (that includes all aspects of waste disposal – recycle, incineration, bulky waste disposal, etc.). The town is looking for 90 percent participation in the trash program which will bring in $900,000.
She said so far the opt in/out is where the town expects it to be two months before May 1.
Asked what feedback the town is hearing from residents, Sistare said “Why is it so much — I’m one person with one bag;” and “Why isn’t recycling free?” (because trash and recycling disposal is expensive).
For more info, to opt out or opt for a smaller trash bin, go to the town’s website on the program:
https://www.putnamct.us/departments/municipal-solid-waste-recycling
It will be updated frequently as more information is available.

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