Fort’s Spring Cleanup Program Called Into Question

By:  David Deschesne

Fort Fairfield Journal, May 27, 2015

   The town of Fort Fairfield recently reinstated the town-wide “Spring cleanup” program where the Public Works Department would haul old furniture and other large items to the landfill at no cost.  The program was abandoned in the past under former town manager, Dan Foster.

   At the May town council meeting, Fort Fairfield town councilor, Sue LeVasseur questioned the feasibility of reinstating the program, which was done without town council approval.

   “Didn't we kind of stop that at one time because of the cost and manpower?  And why have we implemented it again when we're trying to keep our budget down as much as we can?” asked LeVasseur.

   “It was a request from the chamber of commerce.  I was unaware that it had been stopped,” said town manager, Mike Bosse.  

    Bosse said he deferred to George Watson, from Public Works and Tim Goff, from the Chamber of Commerce to work out the details.  “It has been, to say the least, a trying item,” said Bosse.  “But they worked their way through it and there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel and they've gotten by it successfully for the most part this year.  People are very appreciative of the pickup service.  There are items they put out that we just can't deal with like tires and other garbage items, things that they're not willing to deal with on their own.”

   George Watson, chief of the Public Works Department estimated the cost of  6 Public Works employees working a ten hour day at $15.00 per hour, plus the vehcile cost the town about $1,000 to do the clean-up.

   “I take care of my garbage myself,” said LeVasseur.   “I can't see why the town [is doing it] when we're on a limited budget, trying to keep the mil rate down.  I know it's a wonderful thing to do but there has to be a limit.  I just think the manpower put into it could be used on ditching or whatever else needs to be done in the Spring of the year.  I'm sure there are things on the Public Works' agenda that need to be done and here are all these man hours that are spent picking up other people's garbage when there are two garbage people in town that do that for a living.  I think that's an unnecessary expense when we're working so hard to keep the figures down so we can keep the facilities that we have and the employees that we have.”

   The topic of the town's participation in Spring cleanup will be placed on the June town council agenda to vote on whether the town will continue providing this service, or not.

   “One of the concerns I have is where do we go now with the things we couldn't pick up,” said town council chairman, Jason Barnes.  “Some of the citizens, I'm afraid, are just going to leave them there.  I guess we'll know next month.”