Abbot to implement pay-per-bag rubbish

ABBOT – Residents voted on Monday to adopt a pay-per-bag system for garbage disposal starting July 1.

The approximately 60 people who attended the annual town meeting agreed that all residents should be required to purchase 33-gallon trash bags from the town office at 50 cents a bag.

Once the program goes into effect this summer, household garbage brought to the transfer station in any other containers will be rejected.

Residents voted to appoint two committees: one to address the needs of the municipal building, and another to discuss the future of the former elementary school building, according to Lorraine Leeman, town clerk.

The town offices in the municipal building are very cramped and more space is needed, Leeman said Thursday. In addition, a sprinkler system will be required if the town continues to hold functions that draw more than 75 people.

The former elementary school is used by the Big Pine Riders Snowmobile Club in winter months and remains vacant the rest of the year, Leeman said. The committee will investigate all the possibilities for the building.

Approval was given by residents to give a 10 percent increase in pay to the first selectman, treasurer and tax collector for their workloads. The town has no town manager.

In addition, voters repealed a bidding ordinance adopted last year which required a bid process for items costing more than $2,000. Selectmen found the ordinance too cumbersome.

Re-elected to office were Jan Ronco as selectman; Lorraine Leeman as town clerk, tax collector and constable; Alice Weymouth as treasurer; and Malcolm Drummond as fire warden.