Town cracks down on transfer station use

NORTH CANAAN — By now, some town residents may have gone to the transfer station with their garbage — and been turned away.

As of May 7, the grace periodfor anyone who has not yet purchased their annual sticker is over.

The Board of Selectmen reported at a May 5 meeting that many people still had not bought new stickers. The old ones expired March 31.

While times may be tough, First Selectman Douglas Humes said, getting rid of garbage in North Canaan is a bargain, compared to nearby towns. He quoted sticker fees as high as $150, with some towns charging as much as $40 for a second sticker to go on an additional family vehicle.

Here, stickers are $25. The second one is free.

That said, an effort to hold the line on rising bulky waste removal costs prompted the board to vote for a decrease in the amount each household may bring to the transfer station, without additional charge, in one year. Bulky waste is essentially debris from small construction and renovation projects. The 8-yard limit was cut to 5 — but that’s still three pickup truck loads.

“If you need more than that, you have a major project and you should get a Dumpster,� Humes said. “If you have a construction business, you should have a Dumpster set up on the job site.�

Speaking of cleaning up, the Town Crew will collect brush left roadside (butt end out) the last week of May, and again in June. Summer is road maintenance time; no brush pick up.

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