Resident Wants Scavengers Gone

Mary Beth Connors submitted a town bylaw that would eliminate anyone from going through trash and recycling on trash day.

"I saw a man with an empty wheelbarrow in my neighborhood and then I saw him later in the day on Route 140 with an enormous bag of bottles and cans throughout the day," Connors said, who lives in the neighborhood across from the . "I have two young kids and I don't want them to see a stranger rummaging through the recycling—we live in a family-friendly town and there are a lot of issues with this."

Connors got signatures from around town to bring the issue to the annual town meeting.

Another article on the warrant is asking people who want to rummage through trash to obtain a permit from the town.

"I don't think this solves the issue," Connors said. "I've seen people opening blue trash bags and going through personal items and I worry about identity theft."

Town Manager Dan Morgado said that if it's at the curbside, it is no longer the property of the homeowner.

Connors said that if people are taking bottles and cans out of the recycling, then it's taking that money away from what the town makes on that recycling (5 cents a bottle or can).

Town meeting members will have the opportunity to vote on either of the two articles, one banning people from going through trash and recycling and the other requiring permits for anyone who wishes to go through curbside trash and recycling.

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