Westbrook city councilors will consider whether to cut several new positions Thursday from the proposed budget to pay for a curbside recycling program.
At a meeting Thursday, ouncilors will scrutinize a part-time position in the Economic and Community Development office, a new parking enforcement officer and four new full-time paramedics. Those positions would be cut from the proposed budget after councilors voted to eliminate a pay-per-bag program, which would have paid for the curbside recycling program.
The positions were included this week on what’s known as the “revisit list,” which consists of items identified for further discussion and possible cuts by finance committee members during the budget review. Some of the items on that list could potentially be used to free up money for a recycling program.
The list also includes a sidewalk plow for the Public Services Department, a new, full-time position in the Human Resources Department that was not in Mayor Bruce Chuluda’s proposed budget and a curbside recycling program.
At a meeting on May 10, the committee voted to remove $281,000 in anticipated revenue from the sale of bags and almost $74,000 in spending related to the purchase of trash bags and recycle bins in connection with the pay-per-bag program.
While a majority of councilors indicated they are opposed to bringing pay-per-bag to the city, there is an interest in implementing a curbside recycling program.
According to the administration, a curbside recycling program without pay-per-bag will be more costly for the city. In an earlier interview, City Administrator Jerre Bryant said the increased cost is from an additional collection truck that would be required to collect the recycling. With a pay-per-bag system, Bryant said, the volume of trash collected would be reduced, which would allow for trash and recycling to be picked up by one truck.
The committee’s meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in room 114 of Westbrook High School. The panel will be looking at the school and city clerk’s budgets, as well as city revenues. The final item on the agenda is the committee’s revisit list, which consists of items identified for further discussion and possible cuts by committee members during the budget review. The meeting, which is open to the public, will also be televised on cable Channel 3.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
