In the spirit of the 250th, I’d like to suggest another option for household trash/recycle pickup: eliminate the service entirely. Then, as in dozens of other Massachusetts towns (like Cape Cod, where my parents lived) and thousands around the country (like New York, where my in-laws live), citizens could arrange the service for themselves with private companies. Such companies, in my experience, offer inexpensive and flexible options, such as pickup twice/week, once/week, or on call (if you’re away or have little trash, in general), with fees reflecting both quantity and frequency.
Lex’s projected operating budget for trash and recycle (not compost) seems to be about $5M for about 12,000 households, or about $420/household/year—not including relevant town salaries and capital expenditures. From private companies in MA, weekly pickup for one large barrel can typically be arranged for $25-50/month (according to how big a barrel, frequency, and whether you want curbside, driveway, or in-yard pickup), with several companies competing in each town on price and service (and with no additional payments for salaries and capital expenditures).
So, instead of modifying our existing plan, why not return those tax dollars to Lexingtonians and allow them to choose whatever level of service they want, at whatever price they want, from whomever they want? Not only would this option improve choice and service, and be cost-efficient and fair, but it would also give a timely nod to our town’s legacy: liberty.
Phil Holland