Vote Yes For Curbside Pickup

My weekly responsibilities include a round-trip drive of approximately 11 miles to haul my trash and recyclables to the transfer station. Since I do not purchase gas at the Hess station or plan on buying a new Honda, there is nothing I can combine with this trip to make it more economical.

I drive a truck that in city driving averages 13 miles per gallon. At the current cost of $3.359/gallon, my cost per week for gasoline, never mind my time or wear and tear on my vehicle is $2.84. This equates to an annual cost of approximately $148, $158 if you add in the annual $10 transfer station sticker fee

The estimated tax impact of curbside pickup for the coming fiscal year is $.089 per $1,000 of evaluation. My property is currently appraised at $228,800 (if anyone is unaware of what the assessed value of their property is, visit www.visionappraisal.com). If curbside pickup becomes a reality in Salem, I will be paying an additional $20.36 annually to have my trash and recyclables picked up at the end of my driveway. That is a substantial savings over my current cost of approximately $158 and more for the convenience of rolling the trash to the end of the driveway.

Approximately 48 percent of the town residents are paying for private collection currently.  You have seen signs on the side of the road in town offering curbside pickup for $5 per week or $260 per year.  That's over a $200 savings for 48 pecent of the town which will look pretty good in their eyes.

Curbside pickup will also make C&D (construction and demolition) debris disposal at the transfer station available again to town residents.  The proposed 2012 operating budget which will be voted on in March does not fund C&D.  C&D will not be accepted at the transfer station after March 31, 2012.  Residents wishing to dispose of C&D after that date will have to take it to LL&S on Lowell Road and pay a minimum fee of $75 for disposal. Future funding of C&D disposal at the transfer station (not acceptable at curbside) is part of the bid in the curbside pickup proposal.

The transfer station WILL NOT be closing.  It will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays for disposal of everything except TRASH.  The fee will remain at $10 and will include three bulky coupons.  A $5 fee will continue to be charged for disposal of TVs.

In addition, E.L. Harvey (www.elharvey.com) will bring two additional benefits to the town. Twice a year they will offer free paper shredding and electronic equipment disposal.

As a member of the Salem MSWC (Municipal Solid Waste Committee) I am proud to have the opportunity to present this option to the residents of Salem, N.H., Gateway to New Hampshire.