The changes take effect next month.
WILBRAHAM - The Department of Public Works has decided to change the hours of the town’s Disposal and Recycling Center beginning June 1.
As of June 1, users will be able to bring their household trash and recyclables to the facility on Sundays between noon and 5 p.m.
This is the first time the center will be open on Sundays, DPW Director Edmond W. Miga said.
In addition, the Disposal and Recycling Center will be open for longer hours on Saturdays - from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To accommodate the new hours, without adding staff, the facility will be closed on Tuesdays, and evening hours will be discontinued on Wednesdays.
“It is a significant shuffle of operational hours,” Miga said.
He said the intent is to try to increase the number of users overall by offering weekend hours when more people may be home doing household chores.
Miga said the Sunday hours were proposed by a citizen committee in March. Members of the Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee were asked by the Board of Selectmen last fall to make recommendations which would result in cost savings, expansion of the user base and long-term viability for continuing the center as a town service.
The committee recommended closing on the slowest day, Tuesday, in favor of Sunday hours.
The Disposal and Recycling Center also is available to residents of neighboring towns, such as Ware and Palmer, which already have participants.
All users must purchase a car sticker to use the facility. Users also purchase town-authorized trash bags for household trash brought to the center. There is no additional charge for recycling.
To sign up for the service or to request additional information call the town offices at 596-2800, extension 225.
The new hours are Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The center is closed Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.