Belfry Hill Neighborhood Association Lexington, Massachusetts A volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Belfry Hill community. BHNA Home About BHNA Announcements Issues Links Contact (No frames)

Pay-As-You-Throw Trash Disposal

9 April 2002

Last year, Lexington instituted a pay-as-you-throw trash disposal policy, in parallel with an increased recycling service. The justification was both to encourage recycling, as well as to make trash disposal costs be paid by residents in proportion to their usage. In essence, under the old system, trash disposal was paid for under the general budget, so residents contributed in proportion to their property assessment. The new system shifts the costs to be in proportion to a household's trash usage. There is also some concern that the trash fees circumvent proposition 2½ town spending limits. Information is available on both sides of the issue at the websites posted by the Town and the Citizens for Due Process (Town, CfDP, and Peter Kelley).

On March 29, the Massachusetts Superior Court ruled that Lexington's new pay-as-you-throw system conflicts with a Town by-law that guarantees free trash disposal. As a result, PAYT has been suspended, and trash tags are no longer required.

The selectmen have called a public hearing to gather comments on the PAYT program, especially on whether the town by-laws should be changed to permit PAYT. We urge all BHNA members to attend and express their views. Please encourage your neighbors to come as well.

The meeting will be held on