I am disappointed to report that Westbrook will not be reinstating large trash pickup this year.
As you know, the city for years picked up large items that we taxpayers put out, like old mattresses or chairs. The idea behind this was that removing these items removed clutter, improved fire safety and avoided illegal dumping. Also, many of our citizens, particularly our seniors, do not have the ability to transport large items to a dump.
Several years back, this was removed from the city budget. I opposed that, and have fought ever since to reinstate large trash pickup. I had hoped that we could reinstate a limited option this year, where citizens would pay a small fee, place the large item by the curb with their regular trash pickup, and it would be hauled away and disposed of. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t our old system. But it was better than nothing.
Both the mayor and the council sent letters with the tax bills telling the citizens that the city intended to reinstate this limited option. Unfortunately, the city is not. I am extremely disappointed, and will continue to fight to reinstate large trash pickup as well as to increase our other efforts to promote recycling.
A citizens’ committee on solid waste disposal and recycling is meeting Wednesday, Oct. 18. The Westbrook City Council will be working closely with this citizens’ committee to look at options to reduce our trash waste and promote recycling. If anyone is interested in serving on this committee, please let me know.
Brendan Rielly
Westbrook City Council president
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