Residents trash Selectmen at meeting

By Sarah M. Corigliano

Assistant Managing Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW Hundreds of East Longmeadow residents attended the "Let's Talk Trash" trash information meeting at the East Longmeadow High School last Tuesday night.

The meeting was hosted by the Board of Selectmen, whose duty it was to vote on a new trash collection contract since the current contract will expire with the start of the new fiscal year July 1.

There were few open seats in the auditorium at ELHS, and it was quite warm inside. A group of people opted to stand at the rear of the auditorium.

The meeting, which was technically part of the Board of Selectmen's regular Tuesday meeting, was scheduled to take one hour, including a Power Point presentation about the new "Waste Reduction Program" and comments and questions from residents.

Board of Selectmen Chairman John Claffey addressed the audience first, asking for their courtesy and to create "an atmosphere of respect and cooperation."

"We have to close this meeting at 8 p.m. because we have an appointment with the housing partnership," Claffey explained. At this, the audience erupted.

As a result of shouts and repeated interruptions from the audience, including people lining up at the two designated microphones and addressing the Board while they were still presenting, the Selectmen cut their presentation short and opened the floor to comments about 15 minutes into the meeting.

The first concern Claffey addressed was the fact that the new trash contract with Central Mass. Disposal will start two weeks after the town's current bi-weekly pickup occurs. The new pickup contract, which will begin July 5, will collect 35 gallons of trash from each residence each week, with additional trash requiring $1.75 a piece town- approved bags, which are for sale at local merchants.

Claffey said the trash collection vendor made a concession for the first week and will collect all bags residents place on the curb for the first collection. After the week of July 5 - 9, the new restrictions will take effect.

The Selectmen also stated that, since homeowners will not be charged for trash they do not produce, the new system will be more fair and small households and empty nesters will not be "subsidizing" the service for the rest of the town.

Before officially opening the floor to comments, Claffey told the audience "The Board of Selectmen will give full consideration to these comments ... within the constraints imposed by the town budget and override votes."

Vocal members of the audience expressed resentment at the mention of the failure of the override vote and said it had no relationship with the pay as you throw program for trash.

Complaints from the audience included: that the Selectmen made the decision without asking residents if they supported it and they felt it was forced upon them; that some people recycle very diligently and still produce more than 35 gallons of trash each week and that the new plan is not fair; that the new plan is especially unfair to families with children, especially those who are still in diapers; that the Solid Waste Advisory Team (S.W.A.T.) and the Selectmen did not properly publicize the group's progress, research results and recommendations as their work progressed; that the Reminder did not cover the trash issue (to date this newspaper has covered the issue with at least five stories, two of which were front page stories, in addition to briefs and articles printed over the course of the last two and a half years announcing S.W.A.T. meetings and the fact that they sought members); that such decisions should be brought to a ballot question and decided by voters; that illegal dumping will become a problem as a result of frustration with the new program; and that communication between the Board of Selectmen and the town was not sufficient.

Some one liners shot at the Selectmen included, "Figures don't lie, but liars can figure;" "Low bidders never get the job because it always costs more at the end;" and "How much is a burning permit?"

One resident asked if special consideration would be made for families who care for relatives with disabilities and may have no control over producing certain types of trash. Claffey said such cases would be considered individually and encouraged her to contact the Selectmen's office.

Some residents came to the meeting in support of the new plan, chiding the audience for caring too much about trash and not enough about education, or the Senior Center. They were essentially booed away from the microphones. Resident Andrea Morrisette pleaded with the audience to care more about recycling and education.

"I don't understand why trash is so important," she said. "What is the big deal about trash? Just recycle ... Education is more important."

One resident, Carolyn Bliss, was speaking out against the plan and asked if anyone involved in S.W.A.T. or the Board of Selectmen had any personal connection to anyone at Central Mass. Disposal.

At this, S.W.A.T. co-chair Jim Jendrysik yelled, "I resent that implication," and started to approach her when he was escorted back to his seat, then out of the auditorium by an East Longmeadow police officer. He returned later in the meeting.

Jendrysik later told The Reminder that "by this time it was about 8:20 and I had listened to an hour and a half of yelling, shouting and disrespect ... I'm not quite sure what I was thinking and I don't remember walking up to her, and the next thing I know I'm looking at two police officers."

While many residents told the Selectmen that they came to the meeting in the hopes of holding off on signing the contract while continuing discussions with the Board, the Selectmen said that was not an option.

Resident Sean Coughlin wanted to share his calculations with the Board of Selectmen, because he said he found a way to keep the current level of service for only $7 more per household, per year.

"If my numbers are correct are you ready to rip up that contract?" he asked the Selectmen.

Claffey said, "no."

At press time, Executive Secretary Nick Breault said the contract was to be signed once town counsel and the attorneys for Central Mass. Disposal "iron out" a few details.

He also announced that new members are being sought for the S.W.A.T. and letters of interest and resumes are being accepted through July 8.

Jendrysik told The Reminder that, as a result of his conduct at Tuesday's meeting, he was informed by Breault on Wednesday that the Board of Selectmen had decided to fire him from his volunteer position.

The Board also decided that, while S.W.A.T. will continue, the current members will disband and the team will start again with new members.