Woolwich homeowners unhappy with trash pickup contract

Private road homeowners filled the selectmen's meeting room in Woolwich again Monday evening to express their dissatisfaction with the town's new contract with Pine Tree Waste excluding curbside pick-up on private roads.

Pine Tree Waste representative Karen McNaughton had been asked, by the selectmen, to give an estimate of what it would cost the town to include the private roads in town curbside pickup. She told the board it would add three hours extra a week, at a cost of $80 per hour, The cost would be $240 weekly or an annual cost of $12,480.

The cost for the Stage Coach Road, where most of the complaints are coming from, with 18 homes, would be $2 per household or $155 per month.

The private road homeowners expressed concern at the selectmen's meeting two weeks ago that the town's Solid Waste Committee, who negotiated the contract had not communicated the change to the public.

Patrick Wright, Woolwich Solid Waste and Recycling Committee chairman, was unable to attend the selectmen's meeting this Monday evening. However, he sent a letter to be read on behalf of the committee. He first apologized for the committee's communication failure around this issue.

"It is my hope that the board and the private road residents can come to a solution that is acceptable to both parties. The committee suggested ceasing operations on private roads for the contracting beginning July 1, 2008 for two reasons.

"Neither the town of Woolwich nor our contractor would accept liability for damage to private roads or infrastructure caused by curbside rubbish pickup."

" Our committee felt that it was reasonable for the town to change its policy towards it citizens' subsidizing curbside collection of trash on private roads through property taxes."

Wright said in his assessment of the situation if the selectmen decide to provide service on private roads, the private road association would need to meet two criteria. First, the road association or owner would need to sign an agreement with both the town and Pine Tree Waste that it would release both parties from liability in the case of damage to private roads.

Secondly, part of the agreement would acknowledge that the contractor could discontinue service on the road if it failed to meet Pine Tree standards.

The selectmen told the residents they did not have the authority to change the contract with Pine Tree Waste and that it would take the vote of residents at a town meeting.

The residents on private routes will have trash pick-up, but they will be required to bring their waste to a public road for pick-up.

McNaughton explained that most towns do not offer curbside pickup on private roads.

However, one resident said, "That is true, but Woolwich always has offered private road pickup. We are having it taken away from us."

About 113 houses had previously been serviced by curbside pick up. However, according to Woolwich Town Administrator Lynette Eastman, that doesn't include the homes on private roads that have not had the curbside service.

To have the contract amended it would require a special town meeting, requested by the selectmen, or by petition. The selectmen voted to leave the current contract in place.

Montsweag Roadhouse owner, Chris Johnston requested an extension of his liquor license for outdoor gatherings. He was told he first had to go before the planning board with his plans to expand, before the selectmen could extend his license.

The Roadhouse will host a fund raiser for the Maine Children's Cancer Program Saturday, July 19.

The event will include an outdoor barbeque, with live music, beginning at 1 p.m.

Johnston said further information on the event will be available at a later date.

CEO Bruce Engert told the selectmen he has issued a 60-day clean-up notice to Ed Herr, the operator of Ed's Stuff on Route 1 in Woolwich.

Herr has been given warnings over the past few years to clean his area up, which apparently has not been done to the satisfactory of the selectmen or the CEO.

The selectmen appointed Engert, as the town's code enforcement officer and licensed inspector at their meeting Monday evening. They also appointed Richard Lang, as alternate CEO and plumbing inspector.

The Comprehensive Plan Review Committee will meet, Wednesday, July 9, at 7 p.m. The 250 th anniversary committee will meet July 10 at 6 p.m., and the next meeting of the selectmen will be Monday, July 14 at 6 p.m. All meetings will be held at the town office.