Residents Try to Kick Pay-As-You-Throw to the Curb

Residents concerned over the potential implementation of a  (PAYT) trash program now have a bit more time to organize against it, as the East Providence City Council voted unanimously to defer the issue to a later date.

The council was supposed to enact the program during Tuesday evening's meeting. If approved, East Providence would ramp up the program gradually over the next three months in a series of phases, including notifications, beginning almost immediately. The program was also heralded by some city leaders as a way to pay off East Providence's ominous .

The PAYT program, advocated to the council Tuesday by Recycling Coordinator Steve Mutter, would require residents to purchase city-sanctioned bags for trash disposal with a heavy emphasis on recycling. The program would charge residents by how much waste they dispose of, essentially leaving the cost of trash collection in residents' hands.

Mutter argued this is not only good fiscal practice in terms of limiting the $446,000 associated with disposing of the collected waste, it's also "fair." Mutter said several times there is no reason why an elderly couple who does not consume and waste as much as others should have to pay the same fees currently hidden in real estate assessments to pay for trash collection. According to Mutter, the city currently pays $1.5 million to collect trash, outside of the disposal costs.

"No matter how much you generate, no matter how much you recycle, you don't have the ability to lower that [tax]," Mutter told skeptics in the audience. "The Pay-As-You-Throw program will give you that opportunity to lower that assessment."

Mutter estimated that the average East Providence household would use about 1.5 bags a week, at a cost of $170.26 a year. He also estimated that a family of four would need roughly two bags per week, which, under the current system, accounts for $212 per year, with PAYT estimated to cost the same family of four roughly $197 per year.

Elderly couples, Mutter estimated, would pay around $165 per year with a limited weekly bag purchase. Regardless of the slight variance in cost per household, Mutter said the free removal of leaves and one bulky item would remain.

Resident present petition

Not all were convinced with Mutter's calculations, however. Several residents responded publicly in opposition to what they see as a new tax. Among them was Freddie Rybka, who took to the podium with a large PAYT trash bag, branded with the words "North Attleborough."

"This past week ... I walked Ward 1 under the pretense that they're just going to end up double-dipping us, so I'd like to give these to the council right now," Rybka said, handing a petition signed by 112 residents opposing PAYT.

Mutter also fielded questions from the council and residents on everything from the realistic ability of a new automated truck to reach trash barrels when there is heavy snow or cars parked along the street.

Councilman Michael DiGoia also voiced skepticism, stating, after his question about the origin of Mutter's numbers, that because of his children, he goes through a lot of trash. Mutter responded by saying that "in all due fairness, [DiGoia] should be paying more than the elderly person who generates less than one small bag a week," and that he feels "it's time that the residents of East Providence treat trash as utility."

After more heat from residents, Mayor Bruce Rogers recommended that the council defer the issue to a later date, so as to welcome more debate and information. The motion to defer was made by Assistant Mayor Thomas Rose Jr. and was seconded by Councilwoman Katie Kleyla.

Steve Mutter said that he is interested in providing a workshop on PAYT, featuring communities that can attest to its effectiveness.