1st bulky disposal in Pomfret a success; now on to ‘contract’
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM/POMFRET — Putnam’s first foray into out-of-town bulky waste disposal went off beautifully March 1.
Putnam is collaborating with Pomfret in its transfer station. It made sense, according to Putnam Highway Superintendent Travis Sirrine because Putnam did not have a suitable spot and Pomfret did. March 1 was Putnam’s first bulky waste disposal at Pomfret’s transfer station and, according to Sirrine and Pomfret First Selectman Maureen Nichols, it went very smoothly.
It was Putnam-only March 1. Following the disposal day, Casella weighed the dumpsters and Putnam will pay based on tonnage.
With that smooth start, the two towns are continuing their discussion on their memorandum of understanding for the transfer station. Also to be worked out is a schedule, Nichols said.
Neither town anticipates any problems with the memorandum — it’s just a matter of getting it done.
In the meantime, Nichols said the station is awaiting the delivery of an attendant’s shed (which will be inside the gate), electricity and a compactor for cardboard. She said all of that is on order.
In addition she said a “swap spot” is also a goal, as Pomfret and its Green Team are very serious about recycling. The transfer station is paid for by two Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants and two timber harvests, she said.
Putnam’s Sirrine said there weren’t quite as many Putnam residents taking part as took part during Putnam’s last bulky waste collection. The system worked smoothly and the line moved quickly, he said. Some Putnam residents did say that the transfer station didn’t show up on their GPS. “We’ll work on getting a pin on the map” or something, Sirrine said.
Most residents were very positive about the new setup.
It went much quicker, he said, “there was a steady stream.”
“The self-unloading may have put some people off,” he said —but bringing your own labor will be the new normal.
In terms of the number of vehicles, Sirrine said he saw 60, maybe 70 percent of the number of vehicles at Putnam’s last bulky waste collection. But those folks brought a lot of bulky waste. Sirrine said that the bulky, the metal and the mattress dumpsters were filled and exchanged for empty ones.
“A lot of people said they were looking forward to the next one,” Sirrine said.
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