Increase in garbage bag fees rejected

PORTLAND — The town recently decided not to increase the fees charged for municipal garbage bags.

The town had proposed increasing the cost of the bags by a nominal amount: from $1 to $2 for small bags and from $5 to $6 for the largest bags.

The bag fees are used to off-set the cost of garbage disposal.

The Board of Selectmen recently held a public hearing to take public comment on the proposed increases.

Only two residents took the town up on its offer and provided comments, both voicing objections to the increase.

In outlining the proposed increase, First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield noted the bags fees have not gone up since 2010, while costs associated with garbage disposal have steadily increased.

The town relies upon three sizes of bags: small, medium and large. The current fees are, respectively, $1, $4 and $5.

The town proposed increasing the process fees to $2, $4, and $6.

In addition to the increase in the bag fees, the town also proposed increases in five out of 11 other categories, including the transfer station permit fee (from $20 to $30), antifreeze, bulky waste (items such as couches and furniture, from $120 a ton to $150), and Freon (the nowbanned chemical used in air conditioning units, from $15 to $20).

Among the items for which disposal costs did not change are: propane tanks, and car and truck tires.

The town no longer recycles motor oil, after the state imposed a ban because of possible contamination with and by PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls.

At the hearing, resident Melissa Gerrier Satagaj focused on the proposed increase in the cost of the bags.

With all the various taxes and fees residents pay in town, she said, jacking the price of the large bag up from $5 to $6 “feels like you’re nickel and diming us.” “It just seems excessive.” Resident Elwin Guild said the town runs a risk.

If they impose the increase in the cost of the bags, “We’re going to go back to the old days when many people left it along the side of the road” or dragged their rubbish into the woods and left it there.

“I have no problem with anything but the bag fees,” Guild said.

About the a dollar increase, Guild said, “That’s onerous for most people.”

Residents have the option of disposing of their own garbage or relying on a commercial hauler, Bransfield noted.

In a year, the bag fee amounts to $300, Guild said. “That’s just what AllWaste (the hauler) charges me.”

What’s more, Guild said, “If you lose half the customers (who use the transfer station), I think you kind of killed the golden goose.”

In light of the objections, Bransfield and the selectmen decided to abandon the proposed increase in the bag fees.