The Town of Bristol will pick up trash and recyclables from local businesses after all, with two key provisions — there’s a limit to how much they take, and everyone will be treated the same.

Alarm followed the word, leaked out in early summer, that the town might be forced to eliminate commercial trash pickup altogether. Among those most concerned were resident Stephan Brigidi, a local businessman and commercial landlord, whose property on the corner of Franklin and Thames streets houses several businesses, including his photography studio and the Beehive Café, as well as Chip Cavallaro, who along with his wife Jen, runs the Beehive.

Between the five businesses on Mr. Brigidi’s property, there is enough space in one narrow alley to hold about 10 garbage cans. Unlike most businesses in town, there is simply no room for a dumpster, anywhere on the property. Mr. Brigidi and Mr. Cavallaro petitioned the town to allow continued commercial trash pickup.

A bid to control tipping fees

The town’s goal, though motivated by sound fiscal management, would nonetheless have some unintended consequences for many local businesses. Currently, Bristol’s public works crews pick up the trash from nearly 80 sites that are clearly identifiable as commercial businesses. Statewide, only one other town — New Shoreham — picks up trash from businesses. By state mandate, each town’s cap, or the amount of trash the town may dispose of at the Central Landfill in Johnston before additional costs are imposed, is based on its residential population.

As of 2018, Bristol’s population sets the town cap at 7,306 tons, a figure that is based on residents only — not businesses — using town trash disposal services. It’s also a figure the town routinely exceeds, to the tune of about $80,000 per year.

If that were the whole picture, telling businesses to deal with their own trash would be the obvious solution. But of course, it’s not that simple.

“My feeling is, we residents pay taxes, and those taxes contribute to education, police, fire, snow and trash removal,” said Mr. Brigidi in late June. “I understand, the town is looking to save money. But we are as compliant and mindful as possible. We are doing our fair share.”

A compromise plan

The Bristol Town Council heard the petition of Mr. Brigidi and Mr. Cavallaro at their regular meeting, last Wednesday, Sept. 18. “Kevin McBride (DPW director) and I weighed in with our recommendations,” said Town Administrator Steven Contente. “I recommended that we mirror the residential policy — all businesses get one trash cart and one recycling cart, 96 gallons each, just like the residents.” Similarly, Mr. McBride recommended that businesses obtain one trash cart and one recycling cart, but that, unlike residents, they be required to pay for them.

In a motion made by Councilor Antonio “Tony” Teixeira and seconded by Councilor Tim Sweeney, the council voted unanimously to adopt a policy to provide one trash bin and one recycling bin to each residential unit and to provide a second recycling bin to each residential unit, if requested, at cost; and further to allow businesses to each purchase one trash bin and up to two recycling bins.

“We think it’s a good compromise, fair and equitable across the board,” said Mr. Contente.

Mr. Bridgidi agreed. “I was very happy with the manner the town council handled the trash situation,” he said. “I especially wish to thank our town administrator, Steven Contente, and our director of public works, Kevin McBride, for listening to our needs and submitting this plan to the town council for their approval. Jen Cavallaro and I were graciously received by our town officials. Thanks to all.”

New trash pickup plan

It’s all part of a new trash pickup program for the town, which will include two new automated trucks, and will hopefully launch in January, weather permitting.

The 96-gallon carts that each resident and business will receive will allow for completely automated pickup. Where trash trucks were once staffed by three men, the new system will allow for just one driver to operate pickup. Mr. Contente does not anticipate layoffs, and plans to reassign staff to the town sewer department.

“There will be a lot of changes, across the board, so we will evaluate how the new plan is working after about a year,” said Mr. McBride.