Board of Health - Town of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

LEAVES, GRASS AND YARD WASTE will be picked up at the curb on resident’s regular rubbish collection day during the following weeks: October 20 – 24, November 3 – 5, November 17 – 21, and December 1 – 5. Yard waste must be in 30 gallon paper bags, no more than 40 lbs each, and lined up at the curb by 7:00 a.m.

Are you bothered by mosquitoes or worried about West Nile Virus?

For information on mosquito control, West Nile Virus and EEE go to http://www.cmmcp.org/08summary.htm.

The Yard Waste Drop Off Program will continue on Saturday, October 4, 2008, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 P.M. at the Municipal Garage located at 211 South Street with additional restrictions put into effect to deal with the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) threat. These additional rules explained in a letter to residents.

Yardwaste curbside pick-up will be the weeks of:

October 20th
November 3rd
November 17th
December1st

PAY AS YOU THROW
Week #2 Update

The PAY AS YOU THROW (PAYT) Program that went into effect on August 4th continues to produce excellent results. Residents of Shrewsbury are to be commended for their excellent cooperation and assistance.

Additional stores are now selling the bulk waste stickers. These stores are Flynn’s Truck Stop, Maple Avenue Shell, White Hen Pantry, Rock’s Ace Hardware in Northborough, Walgreen’s and CVS. All stores are carrying a full inventory of bags.

Residents are reminded that they may place the PAYT bag in a trash barrel and do not have the leave the bag on the ground at curbside. This is very important for those residents that put out their trash the night before. They have been instances were bags have been torn by animals so placing the PAYT bags in a trash barrel keeps everything nice and neat.

Residents are also advised that with a smaller amount of trash now being generated, routes are being completed faster so trash should be at the curb by 7:00 AM. Last week only 118 tons of trash was collected which is about 50% of what is normally collected weekly in the month of August. In addition, the amount of recyclable material increased about 12% from 56 tons to 63 tons. It will not be until the end of September until we will have an idea of the impact of the PAYT Program on trash generation and recycling rates.

Small trash bags (15 gallons) cost $.75each and large trash bags (33 gallon) cost $1.50 each. They are sold in packages of 5 bags. Items that weigh 20 lbs or less but are too big to fit in a bag will be picked up if there is a PAYT trash bag attached to the item. Bulky items such as gas grills, a mattress, box spring, a couch or chair will be picked up if they have a bulky waste sticker attached. The stickers will cost $10 each. The stickers and trash bags will be available in local stores. Click here for the list of stores.

Items that are not in a bag and do not have a bag or sticker attached to them will be left at the curb.

REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE to limit the number of bags you need to buy. There will be no fee for recycling or yard waste collections. Click here for information on recycling.

PAY AS YOU THROW STARTS AUGUST 4, 2008

PAY AS YOU THROW (PAYT) is a system that sets a fee for every bag and item of trash put at the curb for rubbish collection. The revenue the town receives from the sale of Trash Bags and Bulky Waste Stickers will pay for rubbish disposal. Collections for rubbish, recycling and yard waste will continue to be paid through property taxes.

SPECIAL PAY AS YOU THROW TRASH BAGS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR RUBBISH. Stickers will be required for furniture and other bulky items. Items that are not in Pay As You Throw trash bags and do not have a sticker or bag attached to them will be left at the curb.

PAY AS YOU THROW trash bags and stickers for bulky items will be sold in these stores and others (check www.shrewsbury-ma.gov/recycle for listings):

Edgemere Mini Market	1 Pineland Avenue
Flynn's Truck Plaza	307 Hartford Turnpike
Horton's Market	117 Clinton Street
Price Chopper	380 Maple Avenue
Rite Aid	557 Main Street
Shaw's, White City	50 Boston Turnpike
Maple Ave Shell	29 Maple Street
Route 9 Shell	271 Boston Turnpike
Stop and Shop	539 Boston Turnpike
Walgreens	225 Boston Turnpike
White Hen Pantry	38 Maple Avenue
Big Y Supermarket	50 Southwest Cutoff, Worcester

For more information on the PAYT Program please click here.

For more information on recycling please click here.

WATER QUALITY IN LAKE QUINSIGAMOND AND FLINT POND

The Shrewsbury Board of Health tests the water quality at the following locations on Lake Quinsigamond and Flint Pond every week from the middle of June until early September each year:

Gauch Park near the bridge on Main Street
Eaglehead Cove Condominiums
Near Vinny T�s restaurant
Brookside Place
Sunset Beach
Oak Island at the Flint Pond Boat Ramp

Rubbish & Recycling News 2008-09 -- more >

PLANNING FOR NATURAL DISASTERS, PANDEMIC INFLUENZA AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Pandemic influenza is a worldwide outbreak of flu that occurs when a new type of influenza virus appears. People have not been exposed to the virus before and have no immunity to it. Many people may be too ill to work during a pandemic and services may be disrupted. Healthcare facilities may be overwhelmed. Schools, banks, and stores may not be able to provide normal service because their staff is out sick.

Planning for Natural Disasters, Pandemic Influenza and Other Emergencies handout (pdf)

Public Health Fact Sheets

INFLUENZA: Birds, Pandemics and Protecting Yourself (pdf)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Avian Flu (pdf)

Is Your Family Prepared for a Natural Disaster or an Emergency?

Is your family prepared for a hurricane, tornado, severe power outage, or an emergency that affects the area?
Go To: www.redcross.org and click on “Get Prepared” and “Prepare at Home” for help in making a family communications plan.

Backyard Composting -- The Shrewsbury Health Department supports backyard composting as a clean and simple way to get rid of leaves and grass clippings. Many of us are wondering what to do with all the yard waste we have at this time of year. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection banned the disposal of leaves, yard waste and grass clippings at landfills or incinerators because these materials are easily converted into compost, a usable and beneficial product, and the disposal capacity we have in this state is needed for handling other waste which can not be composted. Residents are reminded that it is against state law to burn leaves or to dump yard waste into wetlands, streams or ponds. -- more >

Household Hazardous Waste Wise -- Many common household chemicals and products contain hazardous ingredients and need special care to be used and disposed of safely. -- more >

Got a Minute? -- Get into your kid's head. How to prevent your teen or preteen from smoking, plus tips on how to help them quit if they already smoke. -- more >

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