By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

The Pay-Per-Bag question scheduled for the June town meeting warrant has been dumped.

Selectman Robert McHatton Tuesday night (April 26) said after meeting with members of the Recycling Advisory Committee and “strong consideration,” the group feels more time is needed to educate taxpayers on the financial and environmental advantages of making the change.

McHatton said a new member to the Recycling Committee brings “a background in the field” and could aid in the public awareness effort. He asked that the question be removed from the June warrant, and be added to the November ballot.

The board unanimously supported the motion.

Later in the night, McHatton noted he supports the Pay-Per-Bag initiative, and then asked fellow board members, “How do you feel about it?”

Selectman Bear Zaidman supports the approach, feeling taxpayer money can be saved and ultimately those resources can be applied to other town infrastructure improvements, such as paving more roadway.

“Pay-Per-Bag is a way to go give people choice to help recycle or pay to get rid of trash they produce,” he said. “I strongly feel when the town recycled, we did a better job for the environment and the town.”

Zaidman felt the town did a better job recycling when materials were actually separated here and then sold to recycling companies. He asked if an analysis could be done comparing figures when the town did its own recycling compared to what has happened since when Bridgton went to single-sort.  

“We made some money down there (Transfer Station),” he added. “At the time, the question was if we reduced a couple of people’s jobs by doing away recycling and go to single sort, (we could save money). I don’t believe it helped the budget. I’d rather see someone working for the municipality and clean up the environment vs single sort.”

Zaidman suggested the board hold a workshop with the Recycling Committee and look at whether a return to self-recycling can make money for Bridgton?

Zaidman admitted it took Transfer Station workers time to educate people where to place certain recyclable items, but eventually, people learned. 

“You see it at the Common Ground Fair — trash buckets, this goes here and there, they recycle 100%,” he said. “The town could get closer to 100% and make money.”

Chairwoman Carmen Lone supports PPB because it would reduce waste tonnage and ultimately cut the cost of disposal.

Selectman Paul Tworog also “supports the concept,” but would want to see details of the program properly implemented.

Selectman Fred Packard said Bridgton and our country needs to “come up with some real serious solutions in the near future” regarding waste disposal. “We’ve been educated to be a wasteful society, unfortunately,” Packard said.

In other meeting notes:

Quote of the nightcame from Chairwoman Lone regarding what she sees as a true sign of spring’s arrival in Bridgton — “The yellow of our spring in Bridgton is safety jackets, not daffodils,” referring to the restart of road construction.

Good supportinformation accompanies articles on this year’s warrant, Selectman Paul Tworog noted as the board approved the town clerk/town manager warrant for June’s town meeting.

Opting for a closed warrant, townspeople can reducea recommended appropriation, but not increase it.

If voters reduced a certain line, would the cut be specific to the account, Tworog asked.

Town Manager Robert Peabody pointed out that voters ultimately approve a final budget figure to be spent on municipal services. If a reduction(s) are made, that figure is subtracted from the overall proposed budget number.

Peabody, however, also noted that officials would take into account the “sentiment of the vote” regarding whether to trim the amount from the actual budget line. But, the cost reduction “doesn’t legally bind” officials from trimming that budget line, Peabody said.

Vote by secret ballot at town meeting requires a public hearing prior to the June 14 date, so the Select Board will hold such hearing on Tuesday, May 24 at 5:30 p.m.