South Windsor Residents Speak Out Against Trash Program

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT - Residents angry about the town's interest in a "pay-as-you-throw" waste collection program spoke out at a recent Town Council meeting. The Journal Inquirer reported that several residents claimed the council was trying to increase taxes via the state program, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Save Money and Reduce Trash program, also known as SMART.

Other residents said the town should focus on educating residents on how to better dispose of trash. Town Manager Matthew Galligan told residents that the town has a serious problem as the state has demanded towns have a plan in place this year to reduce waste, according to the Journal Inquirer.

The town is evaluating a program that would charge residents about $2 to throw away each bag of trash. Under the program, residents would pay fees to purchase trash bags - 80 cents for an 8-gallon bag; $1.25 for a 13 gallon bag; and $2 for a 33 gallon trash bag.

Photo credit: Tim Jensen