CPA, Cell Towers and Bank Fees: How Did You Vote?

Plymouth Patch's first full week of daily polls was great. You all voted, commented and re-commented.

Here are the results of the first week. Don't miss our next round of questions beginning Monday morning. Vote early and vote often!

Our first question Monday asked How do you feel about the Community Preservation Act? The years old last week.

In our very first Question of the Day 34 people responded, not bad for the first day.

• 79% said "It's great. It has helped to save so much precious open space in our town."
• 8% "It's OK, but I'd like it better if it cost me less."
• 5% "We have enough open space--we need more business!"
• 5% said "Other: I'll tell you in the comments."
• And no one voted for "It's helped to create more senior living facilities. I like it."

Ed Russell was our very first commenter on our first poll: "Look no further than the Plymouth Center for the Arts to see just one of the many great things the CPA has done for our community."

Tuesday's question Do you like having the option of a self-checkout line? was in response to about supermarket chains getting rid of their self-checkout lines:

27 readers responded to this question.

• 33% said "Yes, it's faster."
• 22% said "Yes, but I wish they were more intuitive."
• But 40% said "No, it takes forever and the machines are difficult to use." 
• And only 3% (one person) voted "I don't care."

Wednesday's question was in response to the Selectmen giving DPW director Jonathan Beder permission to get bids on and we had 51 responses to the question: Do you like the idea of curb-side trash pickup?

• 15% admitted that the transfer station is not their idea of fun: "Yes! I hate waiting in line at the transfer station!" 
• 35% said they'd like curb-side pickup "Yes, as long as they include recycling bins."
• 21% said "No! I love going to da-dump!"
• And 27% said :It depends on how much it costs."

We also received 11 comments on this poll, ranging from comparisions with towns that have trash pickup to being able to choose when to drop your trash and recycling.

Barbara Mulvey-Welsh said "The idea of curbside pick-up can be compelling but the reality of garbage trucks stacking up traffic downtown and in other areas is just incredible short-sighted. Not to mention how much it stinks to be caught behind one."

While user "Karen" said "Curbside pickup in Weymouth, where I work, works! It's better than traveling miles and miles to get to the dump. The fees are included in the homeowners taxes. So, it's not a killing one shot deal of $165. They break it up into payments, which makes it easier for some people to come up with.
Just a thought, Plymouth."

Barry Meltzer said he likes going to the transfer station: "I prefer going to the transfer station I can go at any time I need to get rid of trash and my accumulated recycling which I feel needs to be separated."

Thursday's question was about cell phone towers. The Zoning Board unanimously refused a permit for a Wednesday.We had 40 responses.

How do you feel about cell phone towers

• 12% said "I hate cell phone towers! They're ugly and I don't want one in my backyard or anywhere near my backyard!
• 40% said "We need cell towers. How else will I use my ?"
• 5% said "Get rid of all cell phones! They cause car accidents and possibly cancer. We can live without them!"
• 42% said "I'm ambivalent. I think the towers are ugly, but I sure like being able to use my phone."

Reader "Ron" said it best: "So we all love and can't live without our cellphones, as long as the tower is in someone elses back yard. It's next to the preserve, so dress it up as a pine tree. Or better yet dress it up as a big white fan that some are calling a wind turbine."

Friday's question was another business-related question. Bank of America and Citi announced that they will begin if they use their debit cards. Would you leave your bank if it charged you for using a debit card?  Fifty-five people voted in this poll.

• 54% said "Yes! Banks earn enough from all the other fees. They need to give us a break!"
• 23% said "No, sooner or later all banks will be doing it." 
• And 21% said "No. I use a credit union! Very few fees

That's if for our first week of "Questions of the Day." Stay tuned Monday when we have another question for you to answer.