As someone who grew up in Vermont recycling in the late ‘80’s, recycling,
reducing, and reusing was a way of life, which continues for me today. I recycle
everything I can including my daily contact lenses and packaging. I compost,
donate, and FreeCycle a wide variety of items. It’s how I live, I don’t think of it as
anything extraordinary.


That’s why Article 31 pains me – I was one of almost 30% of Town Meeting Members who voted “No.” I voted “No” because there was not enough of a plan regarding bin size or equitability issues including: family size, how to best accommodate those with different abilities, exemptions, how exemptions would be approved, what guidelines would 2 family homes have, what happens when a family moves away and a larger family moves in, overage charges, etc…


One could say that that isn’t what the Article really aims to do, but the reality is
that trash removal impacts every household in Lexington, and most residents want
to know how a change in trash removal will impact them and their household. Act
now, plan later makes me feel uncomfortable and uneasy, and dare I say
disappointed, since I’m very much in favor of the intent to be mindful of the
reduction of trash to take care of our environment.


As most Articles in Town Meeting, Article 31 has good intentions, and maybe even
necessary intentions. However, the passing of Article 31 and subsequent
referendum is an indication that more needs to be hammered out before moving
forward.


It was helpful that Select Board Members discussed some of their ideas about what
the fruition of Article 31 may look like at their meeting earlier this week. However,
it also affirmed to me that going forward with Article 31 at this point in time would
be premature. I wish that there had been more of a plan set forth, similar to the
draft bulky fee schedule which was created last summer, which I believe will go
into effect on July 1st or a few months after.


So, although my household reduces, reuses, and recycles, I will be voting “No” on
Tuesday, June 16th. If you feel similar to how I feel, please vote “No” to encourage town leaders to devise and present a well thought out plan prior to implementing large scale changes.


Lisa Newton
Town Meeting Member, Precinct 8

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1 Comment

  1. Thank you, Lisa!

    This is 100% why I am voting ‘No’ as well.
    My family is diligent at recycling and composting, and we’re all for reducing waste further, but a “blank check” vote is not the way to get things done.

    Give me a more comprehensive plan to vote on.

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