MARBLEHEAD, MA — New trash and recycling bins for automatic pickup beginning on July 1 will begin arriving in Marblehead this week ahead of a townwide vote on who will pay for those carts.
The June 9 annual town election includes a ballot question on whether the trash and recycling will continue to be paid for with tax dollars, or whether homes will have to pay an annual fee billed quarterly for waste removal.
Residents who do not want to pay the fee would then have to submit opt-out paperwork through the Health Department, with the town repossessing the unused carts.
The trash vote comes along with the tiered Proposition 2 1/2 override vote, with the town seeking either a $9 million, $12 million or $15 million property tax override phased in over three years.
As of July 1, residents will need to use the town-issued carts with all trash and recycling items placed inside the container and the lid closed for automated pickup.
All carts are owned by the town and assigned to the property address. Residents are asked to label carts with the address number and unit number on the upper right front corner of the cart or just above the serial number.
Those with a damaged cart should contact the Health Department.
Marblehead will be using automated collection in most areas of town. Residents are asked to place curbside trash and recycling carts no more than 3 feet from the road and leave 3 feet of space on all sides of the barrels away from mailboxes, vehicles and trees.
"We understand 3ft clearance on all sides of carts may not be possible at all locations," the town said. "Please arrange carts as close to the above specifications as you can. Contact the Health Department should you experience pickup issues at the curb."
Residents can contact the Health Department at Health2@marbleheadma.gov or 781-631-0212.
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