Transfer station changes in Conway misguided 

In the recent Conway Currents, Town Administrator Véronique Blanchard announced new policies at the town transfer station. The new program will be costly and inconvenient for Conway residents.

According to Blanchard, the town pays "upwards of" $100,000 annually for processing everything dropped off at the transfer station. She writes that this cost is "much higher" than in surrounding towns. Yet, as part of implementing the new program, Conway is hiring an assistant, a position which will add costs to the entire town.

Blanchard states, "Because we think of our trash as free, some of us might be accepting trash for family and friends who do not live in town." Conway residents know that processing trash is not free. Nor are residents dumping their relatives' trash. I suspect that the amount of trash that residents generate is more than the town administrator and the Select Board think the town can afford to process.  Town government will try their complicated new program, but the trash will still exist, and when residents feel they can't take it to the transfer station, they will figure out something else to do with it.

The new program will charge a $20 annual fee per household for one decal and 104 bag stickers for 35-gallon bags (allowing residents to drop off two bags weekly). Currently, I use 13-gallon trash bags. I am 68 years old and have had a joint replacement. Full 13-gallon bags are already heavy for me; 35-gallon bags will mean I'll need a hand. I'm glad the transfer station employees are friendly and helpful.

Elizabeth Stowe

Conway

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