Westborough outlines final steps for Pay‑As‑You‑Throw rollout, including enforcement and permits

Town staff updated the Select Board on the Pay‑As‑You‑Throw (PAYT) waste program and related implementation tasks ahead of a planned July 1 launch.

Staff said the hauling contract with E.L. Harvey is near finalization and that a separate contract will supply the required bags; the town expects initial bag distribution to a limited number of local vendors, with broader availability to be announced once contracts are complete. Permits (replacing the word "stickers") will be issued and are being designed; some neighboring communities use permits with license‑plate identifiers.

To strengthen enforcement, the Board of Health is considering draft regulations the working group has developed; if adopted (the Board of Health was meeting elsewhere at the time of the Select Board meeting) the regulations would allow the town to fine violators and to revoke permits. Staff also proposed appointing waste‑management wardens (similar to Sander Pond wardens) to carry out enforcement and education in the program’s initial months.

Staff emphasized that operational details — including whether permits appear on the windshield or bumper and how enforcement staff will track violations — remain to be finalized. Two public information sessions were scheduled: June 5 at 10 a.m. at the Senior Center and June 18 at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

Board members asked about enforcement tracking systems and whether program steps would need to be delayed if the bag contract or other critical pieces were not in place; staff said they would be transparent about timing and may delay launch if necessary. The town emphasized education, early‑month enforcement support and close monitoring in the program’s first months.