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Date: 3/18/2022
WILBRAHAM – The Wilbraham Board of Selectmen approved a bulky waste program through the Transfer Station.
Department of Public Works Director Tanya Basch explained the town has partnered with USA Waste to dispose of bulky items, as residents are not allowed to drop items off there directly. Instead, residents would purchase bulky waste stickers from the treasurer/collector’s office for $10 each. Bulky items would fall into one of three categories: small, large and extra-large, and would require one, two or three stickers, respectively. The criteria for each size is available when purchasing stickers. Mattresses would be charged differently, with weight as a factor.
Basch said the town is looking for feedback from residents because the program is new. Adjustments may need to be made later, depending on the success of the program and resident feedback, she said. Basch said the program should pay for itself through sticker fees.
Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Carolyn Brennan asked if there would be staff on-site to help take bulky items from vehicles. She assured that there would be. She also emphasized the program is for household items and furniture and demolition waste would not be accepted.
Town Administrator Nick Breault reviewed the dog policies of facilities in town. After contacting the Fountain Park Board of Directors, Breault was told the park never officially adopted a policy on leashing animals in the park, despite a posted sign declaring just that. He was assured the park’s board would take up them item for discussion. Breault said people just want a definitive rule that is enforced.
When it comes to school grounds, Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District (HWRSD) Superintendent Albert Ganem told Breault no policy exists for whether dogs need to be leashed. Residents like walking their dogs on school grounds and families will often bring their pets to outdoor athletic games, Ganem explained.
Finally, Parks and Recreation Director Brian Litz confirmed to Breault that there are no dogs allowed on town park property. Breault said Animal Control Officer Paul Morrissey would be responsive if there were complaints on Parks and Recreation property.
Brennan said some residents feel that if they pay taxes they should be allowed to bring their dogs to town property, but Chair Robert Boilard noted that ability has been eliminated because of, “a few bad apples.”
Breault went over some of the articles that will appear on the Annual Town Meeting warrant in May. One petitioned article has been submitted with the required number of signatures. The article seeks to reverse the non-partisan elections change that was passed by the town in 2021 and approved by the state earlier this year. Boilard asked if such a reversal was possible. Breault told him that the article met the criteria for inclusion on the warrant, but the moderator would decide at Town Meeting whether the article was in order.
Among the other articles are seven from the Community Preservation Committee and two from the Planning Board. The Board of Selectmen have also added an article to codify rules around the recall of an elected town official.
Veterans Service Officer Jered Sasen recently returned from a conference in Washington D.C. While there, he lobbied legislators to support a bill that would improve access to healthcare for veterans exposed to “burn pits,” military refuse that was burned with jet fuel in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sasen said he was proud that his work paid off. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bill and President Biden spoke about burn pits during his State of the Union speech on March 8.
The board heard a request from the Building Department for two laptops for use while working from home and when out in the field. More information was requested, and the board will continue the issue until its next meeting.