Electronics disposal no longer a problem

CORNWALL — Those broken TVs and other electronics we all know we will never have fixed will soon be able to rest in peace at the town transfer station. No more trekking to Torrington for those arduous collection days. Or missing it and having to wait months for another.

The Board of Selectmen made final plans this week to set up “e-waste� recycling. All electronics can be brought to the transfer station during regular hours. A contractor will supply containers.

Because of the unique processing involved, the town will be charged 10 cents per pound for TV sets. Rather than setting up a scale, the board decided to set a flat fee. They discussed $5 for TVs that one person can carry, and $10 for large screen TVs of the older and much heavier type. There will also likely be a charge of $1 apiece for other items, such as computers, monitors and DVD players, to cover the program’s minimal costs.

In other business, two new members were appointed to the After School Program Board of Directors. Margaret Cooley will serve as the community member-at-large. Bridget Lynch will be the PTA representative.

Tax Collector Jean Bouteiller is requesting extra funding for postage to send reminders to those delinquent in paying motor vehicle taxes.

“Since the bills are usually very small, it’s not worth it to send them out repeatedly,� First Selectman Gordon Ridgway said. “If a bill isn’t paid for whatever reason, the taxpayer is not going to see another one, and they will most likely forget about it. When the bill becomes delinquent, and they go to register a car, it pops up at the DMV.�

Ridgway explained the DMV will not register any vehicle under the name of a delinquent taxpayer. It doesn’t matter if it’s the car on which taxes are owed or not.

“It’s not about the money as much as it is about surprised people who didn’t know they owed anything. We won’t get the angry phone calls from people who can’t register their car.�

It is expected the cost of postage will be more than covered by paid bills.

A $220,000 STEAP (Small Town Economic Assistance Program) grant has been applied for by the town. The plan is to offer grants for upgrades to commercial properties. Businesses can receive 90 percent of the cost of façade work. That work might include residing, new windows and doors and signage. A grant reply is expected from the state in about two months.

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