Officials are concerned the town's new recycling and trash-collection system may be overwhelmed during the holidays.
In October, the town launched a new trash and recycling collection system, in which each residence receives both a free 64-gallon, wheeled trash bin and a 96-gallon recycling bin.
General Manager John Carroll is concerned that during the holidays, people may not have enough space in their recycling bins for items such as wrapping paper. Carroll said he is working on getting a large Dumpster at the Winter Street landfill for people to use for their wrapping paper.
"I think we're better off doing that because this is the first year of this, and I want to make sure there aren't any problems," said Carroll.
Department of Public Works Superintendent Joe Welch said a Dumpster set aside solely for wrapping paper will need to be monitored in some way.
"You're going to have to make sure people don't throw stuff in there that would contaminate it and that would end up costing us more," said Welch.
But Selectwoman Helen Donohue is concerned about possible budget implications of getting a Dumpster.
"That could cost about $750," said Donohue. "In the spirit of goodwill, couldn't Waste Management give it to us?"
Carroll said he hasn't talked about the details with Waste Management, but it's possible the town will not have to pay for the trash container.
Selectman Tom McQuaid is suggesting an alternative plan in which residents can bring the paper to the schools, such as the middle school and high school that participate in a program in which they get money for recycling paper.
"It seems to me the schools are making money on this and they have the capacity and it would save the town money," said McQuaid.
He is also continuing to lobby the board to remove a one-time, $80 fee for residents seeking an additional trash container.
Selectmen by a 3-2 vote instituted the policy two weeks ago.
McQuaid asked selectmen last week to reconsider, saying it unfairly penalizes large families who cannot fit all their refuse in the 64-gallon bin.
Selectmen Mike Lyons, Jerry Kelleher and Bill Plasko voted for the fee, which was recommended by Carroll as a way to ensure residents are making an effort to recycle as much as possible.
The town pays $57 more per ton to get its trash hauled away rather than recycled. Carroll feared that handing out additional trash bins for free would end up costing the town money.
Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or bfalla@cnc.com.
