It's been a little quiet here, so I thought it might be time for a new poll.
The mayor and Councilor David Salafia submitted a resolution last week for consideration by the Finance Committee. They recommend that citizens who are current with their tax payments be allowed two free drop offs at the landfill. Currently, payments must be made when dropping off any bulky waste: $20 per carload, $40 per truckload, each time a dropoff is made. For the past two years, this service has undergone a lot of debate during the budget vote. It is a large ticket item in the budget, and when trying to cut costs, it's an easy target to eliminate. But it's a service that many residents expect and use. Take the unofficial poll and let us know how you feel. Remember, it's not a scientific, statistically valid exercise, but it will be interesting. And, if you have better ideas, post them here in the comment section. Who knows, your suggestions may be implemented.
About Me
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- Stephen T. Zerio
- Elected to first of 3 four-year terms in November, 1995, as a Democrat. Served on the Finance Committee and the Economic Development, Housing and Zoning Committee (Chairman). Chose not to run in 2006 after 6 years as Majority Leader. Now serving a 2 year term as the CT Democratic State Central Committeeman from the 13th District. Employed at Aetna, Inc. Married with 3 children. Resident of Meriden since 1978.
6 comments:
I would suggest going with a two or even once a year free permit which can be obtained at City Hall (or another practical site), provided all your tax obligations are current. The permit, however, can be used any time the landfill is open. I say this because last year I arrived at 8:25a.m on the "free dump day", coming in from the Wallingford side, and I was directed to the end of the line down past Hanover School - no thank you.
I too faced the long line and arrived shortly after 7:30am and finally got through to the dump site and was able to leave around 9am. I left Meriden many years ago and have been back here as a resident for almost 3 years. In the CT town I lived in we paid for a Recyling center permit once a year which gave us unlimited access to the site. Having a permit which would give me access to the site for perhaps 2 or 4 times a year sounds resonable. It would give the availability to go to the recycling center at my convenience and would definitely cut down on the Long Long line of last year. If this can't be done then the system has to be improved. Last year we unloaded our "stuff" into piles and then evrything stopped while payloaders lifted the "stuff" into trash containers. This system definitely contributed to the Long Line. Why not have the containers placed where we the dumpees can just throw our "stuff" into the containers. Have the dumpsters at a level whereby we back up and throw our "stuff" into the containers. The containers can be placed at a level lower then the user. When full the containers can then be moved and replaced with an empty. Makes more sense to me. But then I'm not in politics nor do I work for city/government.
Anonymous 4/16 8:13, thanks for your comment.
I happen to agree with your idea of the annual permit, for the reasons you mention, plus my concern of staff having to collect cash at the landfill site. I proposed such an idea a couple years ago to the Council, but the Council adopted the current system. The "free" day we sponsored last fall was a great and popular idea, but unfortunately caused the long lines you experienced. Perhaps we can take another shot at it. I'll be copying your post to the City Manager and the Chair of the Public Works committee, Michael Rohde.
City residents should have 2 free drop offs a year if their taxes are paid but it should be any time during the year. This would elimate the long lines that we encoutered last year.
This can be enforced by a permit issued by the city in which the resident needs to go to city hall to pick up. Savings on mailing expenses and ensures that the taxes are paid.
When dropping, this ticket can be punched or stamped. After the 2nd trip, it is retained by the landfill personel.
I am a Meriden resident of eight years now and given the costs of everything else around this city, the $40 per truckload cost is entirely fine with me given the $600 for a one week dumpster rolloff whose load amounts to less than ten truckloads.
I say no discount or freebies are needed, but I would also like to see the line held as much as possible on it. If anything, those dumping ten loads or more a year should pay more for the sheer load they place on the disposal system.
If there's anywhere a discount or freebie would be needed, it would be the area of curb-side bulk pickups and for those of low income and seniors, they should have every encouragement to eliminate all the waste at their homes and not feel that it will be such an undertaking that they can just as easily sit on it until they as much as hit the lottery or someone makes an offer to help.
I am just wondering--what ever happened to the free bulky wasted pick they used to have at the curb side annually? Does any one remember that? That was very easy and you didn't have to worry about going to the landfill yourself. By no means am I lazy, but when you pay taxes you should still have services. I see garbage collecting everywhere where I live because with the economy so bad everyone is just throwing their garbage in woods, street corners and they can't afford to go to the landfill and most don't have transportation to the dump. Is there ever going to be another service like this again? It would be nice.
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