By Mike Donovan
RUSSELL– Vehicle stickers for the transfer station will increase from $30 to $35, and residents who fail to obtain one by March 1 will be charged an additional late fee of $20 if they purchase one after that date–bringing the total cost to $55.
In Russell the selectboard is also the board of health, and Selectman Keith Cortis said too many residents are using the facility without paying for the stickers. They claim it’s too difficult to get to town hall to buy them when it’s open, Cortis said.
Administrative Assistant Nancy Boersig said every effort is made to make purchase of the stickers convenient. Town Collector Wendy Thompson said later that applications for the stickers are mailed with tax bills and residents can send the applications back with payment and a self-addressed, stamped envelope and their stickers will be mailed to them. They can also stop in at the town hall between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and purchase the stickers there. Tax bills are expected to go out early next month, she said.
On another issue, Cortis said “giveaway” items should be discarded after a reasonable period of time. Residents sometimes discard items in reasonably good condition and these are left out of the open box for anyone who wants them. According to Cortis, however, many of the items remain outside for months.
“That’s one of the things he (a state inspector) wanted to write us up for,” he said, adding that a pair of tables left outside are so weather-beaten that no one would want them.
Selectwoman Pandora Hague suggested such items could be left outside for a maximum of two weeks, and Cortis agreed.
At the end of that period, the items will be discarded in the open box.
