Politics & Government

Wrentham Public Works Head Explains Changes in Trash Pickup and More in Selectmen Notebook

At last night's Wrentham selectmen meeting, DPW Superintendent Michael Lavin explained some of the changes in the town's trash pickup, the town legal council made sure there was no conflit with their work for the Mass. Gaming Commission, and t

The changes in Wrentham's trash pickup were noticed when they started last month. As chairman Joe Botaish mentioned, he heard plenty of complaints during Wrentham Day. To help explain why there seems to be a difference in quality since Waste Management took over, Michael Lavin was asked to come in front of the board to help clarify the differences.

According to Lavin, the main difference between American Waste, the town’s previous trash collector and the current collector, Waste Management is that Waste Management is less lenient on the rules that existed even when the town used American Waste.

“The only real change that started with the flyer was the change in the telephone number,” said Lavin who was referring to Waste Management's phone number featured on a flyer distributed to alert residents of the change in trash pickup.

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Despite a 34-gallon barrel limit, American Waste would empty larger barrels, taking the way the need of the purple bags used for excess trash.

Because of safety reasons, Waste Management employees will not empty any barrels that cannot safely be lifted without machinery nor will they open the barrels and take the trash out by the bag.

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The move to Waste Management however, is good for those who like to recycle. Recyclable materials can now be co-mingled and does not have to be separated.

After becoming a legal consultant for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the town’s legal council did not want to take any chances with any potential conflict of interests that may of occurred with the Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville applying for the lone license to allow slot machines.

Speaking to the selectmen, attorney George Hall of Anderson and Kregier LLP, clarified their roll with the commission and wanted to make sure the board understood the work his firm would be doing.

Unlike the casino proposal in Foxborough, which the selectmen did not support, there was less resistance to the idea of slot machines at the racetrack as it was felt that slots would have a smaller impact on Wrentham than a full casino.

“They already have a license for gambling so I don’t even see that much that has to be said in a matter like that,” selectmen Charles Kennedy said on the issue.

At the end of the discussion, the selectmen voted to acknowledge that the legal firm’s responsibilities to the town has not and will not include any responsibilities to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

The Wrentham Police Department swore in two police officers during the meeting as Daniel Morris was appointed a member of the department while George Labonte was promoted to from sergeant to lieutenant.

Police Chief James Anderson spoke positively of Morris and Labonte, saying that he has the utmost confidence in the two men.

The Town Government Study Committee added an additional member as Kevin Murphy was added with the approval of the selectmen. Murphy comes to the board with the HR background that the committee was looking for.

A resident of Wrentham since 2009, Murphy has been active in town as a member of the Wrentham Republican Town Committee.


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