Despite protests, clear plastic bags will be used

KENT — At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen in August, Selectman Vincent LaFontan proposed that the new transfer station only accept trash in clear transparent bags when it opens in the next few weeks.

At this month’s regular Board of Selectmen’s meeting, held Sept. 1, LaFontan said he regretted making the proposal and asked for it to be rescinded.

First Selectman Ruth Epstein and Selectman Bruce Adams disagreed with LaFontan, and voted to require users to use transparent trash bags.

“I think that maybe in three months we can assess whether or not users are recycling at the station,� LaFontan. “But we shouldn’t require transparent bags when opening the station up. We can take steps incrementally.�

LaFontan said he had a change of heart due to a large number of residents expressing their dislike of the idea.

“Over the past few weeks I have been approached by residents about this more than any issue that I’ve had to deal with this year,� LaFontan said. “I received some very negative comments about this. They are deeply concerned with privacy issues and the quality of transparent bags. I had a few environmentalists come up to me who said they reuse bags for their trash and those bags are not transparent.�

Epstein said she spoke with Brian Bartram, manager of the Sharon-Salisbury Transfer Station, about the issue.

“Bartram told me their biggest concern with transparent trash bags is with older folks, who may have certain items in bags that, if seen, their dignity would be compromised,� Epstein said. “It’s an issue.�

However, Recycling Committee member Ken Cooper said the concerns about the transparent bags are “not factual.�

“We want to allow people who use grocery bags for trash to continue to use them which is why we set a [size limit] at three gallons for those kinds of bags,� Cooper said. “If they are elderly residents with privacy issues they can always put things in smaller bags. It doesn’t have to be there for the public to see. And identity theft is a false issue, because you’re still exposed when you bring trash to a transfer station, even if you don’t use transparent bags.�

Cooper said transparent bags would make Transfer Station Attendant John Kaminski’s job much easier, because he would be able to catch residents who try to put recyclables in with the general trash.

“The hardest thing in the world to get people to do is get them to change, especially if it’s a lifestyle change,� Cooper said. “To get people to recycle at the transfer station you have to get lifestyle changes out of residents.�

Cooper’s arguments in support of the transparent bags was enough for both Epstein and Adams, who voted “yes� on a motion to require them at the new station. LaFontan voted against the motion.

The new rule will not be enforced until July 1, 2010, when transfer station permits are due for renewal.

Also up for debate was a sign that will be posted at the station that will say children and pets are not allowed out of vehicles at the station.

“Will we have an age range on the sign?� resident Karren Garrity asked the board. “I know I like it when my daughter helps me with the trash. But obviously you don’t want 3-year-olds running around, but a 6- or 7-year-old can learn a lot at the station.�

“After the station is operational, then we’ll get a better sense of age requirements,� Epstein said. “The building inspector felt very strongly about the sign. We’re talking about areas where there are very steep drop offs at the station. It has to be monitored very carefully.�

“The new station will require changes on everyone’s part,� Adams said. “It’s going to be much less of a social gathering place.�