Brandt Point Village granted free trash pickup
Brandt Point Village is the second private development that will no longer be required to pay for its own trash pickup, following a unanimous vote by the Planning Board on Monday night.
In September, the Village at Mattapoisett was granted free pickup after residents discovered that the current contract is inclusive of public and private residences. The original conditions on the development stated that owners would be required to pay for their own trash collection.
Naturally, residents at Brandt Point Village wanted the same.
After consulting with Town Counsel, it was decided that the same addition to the conditions of the Village at Mattapoisett could be made for Brandt Point Village.
Paul Osenkowski, however, was not in favor of the change.
“It’s a slippery slope,” he said. “I know I’m being Mr. Bumble. I don’t think you have a right to do that. I believe eventually that is going to come back to backfire.”
Osenkowski said if future trash contracts are based on the number of units for trash pickup, then it could be more expensive. He was also concerned that it might lead to increases in public roads and other services.
Members of Koppelman and Paige, the town’s lawyers, said the Planning Board does have a right to add an additional condition by law.
The condition states that residents will be entitled to trash collection service unless terms change, in which case they will be notified six months prior to the change and will then abide by the original conditions.
The board voted 4-0 in favor of the addition to Brandt Island Villages’ terms.