Cracking Down on Trash

Amherst wants to keep its town clean, and will be making litterbugs pay if they don’t agree.

The Board of Selectmen discussed increased fines and signs with the town’s new policy at this week’s board meeting.

George Coddington, who is leading the anti-littering campaign, showed the board the potential design for the signs. He estimates they will have 14-16 of these posted in various locations around town in the next few months.

Coddington said the locations are still being decided, with each sign to read, “Keep Amherst Clean and Appealing.”

He said this anti-litter campaign has been in place for months and is joined by members of Souhegan High School and the community.

Coddington suggested having a smaller sign beneath each new sign that would display the updated fine for littering in town.

The board discussed what amount would be best to reduce littering in their town, something that would be high enough to discourage would-be litterers, but low enough so that the fee would be enforced more often.

“If we had a lower one, there would be a greater chance somebody would be ticketed for it as opposed to a warning,” said Selectman Dwight Brew.

The potential fees they discussed ranged from $100 to $300, although no amount was decided at the meeting.

“We want to let them know we mean business,” said Chairman Bruce Bowler. The board moved to decide the fee amount at a future meeting when more research has been done.

Amherst Police Chief Peter Lyon said that the current ordinance regarding litter was created in 1984 and only imposes a $25 fine.

The signs will cost $1,500 total, which will be taken out of the Department of Public Work’s contingency budget.