The fee hike would be accompanied by a reduction in trash barrel size, from 95 gallons to 65 gallons, making the proposal even less inviting for taxpayers, speakers said.
Carol Kapolinski, of Agawam, speaks out against a proposed trash fee increase during a public meeting Wednesday night at Springfield City Hall. His family owns property in Forest Park through a trust.SPRINGFIELD – No, thanks.
In its politest form, that was the message delivered to city officials Wednesday at a public hearing on a proposal to increase the $75 trash fee by as much as $29 annually.
About 20 residents attended the hearing at City Hall, the third held to sample public reaction to the proposed fee hikes.
Eight speakers urged city officials to find other ways to subsidize trash collections, from cutting back on pencils, pens and municipal vehicles to laying off more public employees.
The fee hike would be accompanied by a reduction in trash barrel size, from 95 gallons to 65 gallons, making the proposal even less inviting for residents, speakers said.
“People feel like the city is riding our backs. Every time something goes wrong, you look to the citizens to bail us out,” said Frank Vasquez, of Chapin Terrace.
“Shame on you, everyone of you,” added Carol Karolinski, an Agawam resident who owns rental property in Forest Park. “This is political suicide.”
The hearings are being conducted by the City Council General Government Committee before the council considers approving any fee increase.
Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Lee C. Erdmann, joined by other representatives of the Finance Department and Department of Public Works, said he is proposing the trash fee rise by $29 annually – from the current fee of $75 to a new fee of $220 – by 2017. Senior citizens would continue to pay a fee of $50 per year.
Erdman said other options would be raising the fee by $10 on July 1, followed by either a $10 or $5 annual increase the following four years with Mayor Domenic J. Sarno favoring the lowest increase.
The city is facing major layoffs and cuts in services in the coming year that can be reduced by steps, including a rise in the trash fee, Erdmann said. Since 2008, the city’s work force has been cut from 1,581 workers to 1,316, with further cuts looming for the coming fiscal year, Erdman added.
State Street resident Jane Devlin said the increases would not only be unfair to residents, but would discourage recycling and lead to illegal dumping.
“There are lots of other options,” she said.
Resident Miguel Rivas added that new trash fees could push residents too far, leading to a taxpayers’ revolt and recall elections.