More Recycling, Trash Collection Changes Coming

Hampton's Public Works director says he will soon request substantial changes to the town's recycling and trash collection program, including the possibility that residential areas of Hampton Beach may again receive pickups more than once a week.

Selectmen had cut the overall number of weekly collection runs at Hampton Beach and the rest of town last November as an effort to clean up an "unproductive" use of taxpayer dollars.

Public Works Director Keith Noyes has been "looking at the whole trash collection operation" in recent weeks, though, at the request of the board and Town Manager Fred Welch. Noyes said the operation is a "big issue for him" — as well as residents — and this additional look has prompted him to develop some ideas for improvement.

"I'm proposing some changes," said Noyes, who has worked with a consultant to evaluate the various recycling and trash collection routes to maximize efficiency. "None of those changes changes anything I'm proposing at the beach. One lingering issue is the once-a-week residential pickup that was approved by the board. I'm looking at that. The resolution is not to decrease that. If anything, it's to increase that."

Noyes declined to go into specifics about the changes, stating he was "hesitant at this point because the picture is so complicated." He did say, though, that he'll likely come before the Hampton Board of Selectmen "within the next three weeks to go over those changes," the "majority" of which are related to the "nine months out of the year" that don't affect Hampton Beach.

Hampton Beach Village District Precinct Commissioner Chuck Rage told selectmen Monday that he's received "close to 100 calls" about the town's plans for trash collection this summer.

Rage said he and beach residents are concerned about the town's plans, and said he wants "to make sure the beach is still going to get the services" it received in the past. Rage requested that the town include the precinct in the decision-making process, and requested selectmen hold a public hearing before any additional changes are made.

"We need to work together to accomplish a solution," said Rage.

Some residents and town officials, including Selectman Mike Pierce, feel there is a problem with collection at the beach. Pierce said Monday that he wants to "try to be fair to everybody," although he said he's "concerned about having pickups more than once a week" because he feels some of the problems could be solved if residents purchase larger trash and recycling carts.

"We have to compromise somehow," said Pierce. "One plastic bag floating across the beach in the summertime makes it look like a dump."

Bob Preston, who owns rental properties on C Street, said larger carts aren't going to work in all areas, though, because the volume of trash at some properties — if they are classified as residential areas and not commercial rental and business properties, which will receive more than one weekly pickup this summer — would be "foul" if left outside "for six days" in the heat.

Others have been more critical about the changes, as well as Noyes' involvement in the process. Newly-elected Selectman Mary-Louise Woolsey reiterated Monday night a stance she took shortly after the March elections: Noyes is spending far too much of his time "on trash."

Woolsey said she wants "fairness," although she said focusing "40 percent" of Noyes' time on recycling and trash collection is hurting the Hampton Public Works Department.

"Whether you live on Little River Road or B Street on the beach, the same criteria should apply, and once-a-week [collection] for residential [areas is appropriate]," said Woolsey.

Dick Nichols, the vice chairman of the board, requested Monday that Acting Town Manager Jamie Sullivan, who filled in for Welch on Monday, "investigate what was the definition of residential collection and distribute that" to the board and precinct.

A resident requested Monday that additional looks at the issue aren't needed, though, stating that Hampton doesn't "have trouble picking up trash and recycling" and has "never had a problem."

"We have cleaned it up," said the man. "It's working. Leave it alone."

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