Conference 7.286::maynard

    
    
    Did you tie the carpet up in a bundle?  They are real particular
    sometimes!   If you did,  they may come for it later in the week.
    I put a long steel ladder out once and it didn't get picked up
    until later that week.  At least I think they picked it up.  It
    was gone when I came home from work.

    A few years back I was putting the trash on my lawn rather than
    down on the sidewalk.   They saw me in the morning and told me
    they wouldn't pick it up if I put it on my lawn again.  They
    aren't insured to go on my property.  Now I put it on the edge
    of my lawn, so they don't have to come on my property.  I feel
    the sidewalks should be clear for the kids walking to school.
    They still pick up my trash.

    You could take it to the Acton dump if you know someone who has
    a permit, but, I think there is a charge.

    - Linda

    
    On weeks with a holiday the trash pickup schedule is different.
    On my street pickup is on Saturday instead of Friday.
    
    I've found that some weeks they are fussier than others about what
    they'll take.  So it may be worth a shot to try again...
    
    No dump in Maynard - you'll need to make some friends in Acton
    to get rid more thatn 8 bags, or find a place to store the extra
    bags and get rid of them little by little.
    
    I looked into paying someone to dispose of a lot of trash when I
    moved into my house -- I found it was VERY EXPENSIVE, and ended
    up going the Acton route.
    
    welcome to Maynard,
    
    -joanne                                                     

About the disappearing ladder, I don't think it was the trash men.

We were on a role with putting out 'good' trash for a while.  A used 
screen door, combination windows, misc. basement stuff, broken lawn 
chairs, etc.  

All of the stuff disappeared between the night we put it out, and the 
next morning when we left for work.  I don't care where it goes, as 
long as it's gone.  I guess I'd rather someone use it than it go to 
the dump.  

anywya, they are particular sometimes.  We put out brush tied in 
bundles, and they woudl take 2 of 3.  One they didn't take week after 
week and we figured out the pieces were too long.  I guess you just 
figure it out after a while.

Also, many people don't have 8 pieces.  Maybe you could get to know 
your neighbors and use some of their unused limit.

    Dave,
    
    	How did they described "only one big thing per week" ? My neighbor
    put out a mattress and I was surprised to find that they took it
    or someone did anyways.
    
    	thanks
    	 kam                                                  

    On the topic of a "Trashy Maynard"...
    
    I was driving thru downtown Maynard this morning and noticed that
    the new sidewalks were so trashy.  Doesn't the DPW clean?  Maynard
    is so small with so many people walking around everyday you would
    think that they would make a special effort.
    
    Linda

    we had some carpeting installed, and they wouldn't take the old carpet,
    even though it was tied up nicely. they said that it was commercial
    ("That truck is the installer, right? They're from a business, right?
    It's commercial!"), so I called Sappet (the hauler), and they called the
    truck by radio to come get it.

    In reading a couple of notes back regarding the litter situation, I
    can't help but shake my head in disbelief at how unthinking,
    inconsiderate and uncaring people can be.  I parked in front of the
    Paper Store yesterday morning to run in and get a newspaper and noticed
    a large plastic trash can in front of the store.  Within 20 feet of the
    trash can is enough litter to fill the can (ok, I exagerate just a
    little to make the point).  Alot of lottery tickets, wrappers,
    cigarette butts, you name it.  I looked down the sidewalk toward Main
    Street and it's shameful.
    
    I'm a walker and I can testify that it's not just a downtown problem,
    but because of the foot traffic, it's more significant there.  What can
    be done to 1) curb peoples appetite for littering and 2) get the shop
    keepers to keep the area clean. I don't blame the shop keepers for the
    problem, by the way, but I think they should be responsible for keeping
    the area in front of their stores clean.
    
    I can't count the number of people I see just toss cigarette butts like
    it was no big deal...out of their car windows...on the street as they
    walk into a store, some jirk walking down the street opening a
    cigarette pack tossing the wrapper on the sidewalk, just as casual as
    could be, like it's his right to litter the world.
    
    Just venting and hoping for some support.
    
    Jim

    
    What you have to do is PICK it up and say excuse me; I believe you
    dropped this may I toss in it the trash for you.  Sometimes I get
    (&#$(&$# you and other times I just get looks of disbelief that
    some one would actually say something to them about littering.
    but at least it makes them think a little more about it.
    
    Bob Cansler

re: .7 (Jim)
    
>    I'm a walker and I can testify that it's not just a downtown problem,

It's an American problem.  Generally speaking, too many people in this country
are just plain lazy.  You see it all the time, everywhere (and it's not just
litter, but that's the topic here..).

>    What can be done to 1) curb peoples appetite for littering

Make it prohibitively expensive to litter, and enforce the law.  You see signs
all over the state stating how big the fine is for littering -- which varies
considerably from town to town -- but when was the last time anyone reading
this note heard of someone being fined for littering?  I never have, at least
not for "casual" littering, such as the cigarette wrappers & lottery tickets
you mentioned.

>2)   and get the shop
>    keepers to keep the area clean. I don't blame the shop keepers for the
>    problem, by the way, but I think they should be responsible for keeping
>    the area in front of their stores clean.
    
They should be responsible for the litter in front of their shops, just as they
are responsible for snow & ice removal during the winter months.  If cost
becomes an issue, post someone outside the shop and execute a citizen's arrest
for the perpetrators who trash the sidewalks.  The shopkeeper splits the fine
(minimum of $100 a whack) with the town.

Cliff

    I have seen many shopkeepers out in the early hours of the morning
    sweeping. 
    
    One thing I may have the nerve to do one of these days is to walk up to
    a car that "tossed a butt" out the window and toss it back in.  Watch
    'em scramble for that one!!  8^)
    
    -sandy (whose folks do it and I can't convince them otherwise!)
    

    There's alot of apathy regarding littering.  I once called the Maynard
    police with the plate number of a car from which a passenger tossed a
    styrofoam burger container (ie, one that Big Macs are packed in).   I
    even stopped to pick it up. 
    
    The policeman was relatively unconcerned and tried to discourage me. 
    He said that all they can do is call them and warn them.  When/if they
    ever take someone to court, the witness probably won't show up, etc.  I
    told him that I would be willing to show up.  I never heard back from
    them.
    
    Regarding your folks doing it....tell me about it!  One time I had to
    stop my father from throwing an empty milk container out my car window.
    
    I agree re enforcement of the laws.  Maybe if more of us confronted
    people or called the police with plate numbers of litterers (butt
    tossers included) eventually it might make a difference.
    
    Jim

    I am very interested in this topic and I have approached the Chamber
    of Commerce, the DPW and the Town Administrator on more than one
    occasion with my suggestions.
    
    My feeling is that if there were more trash containers downtown, 
    people would be more likely to use them.  I suggested that the 
    Chamber of Commerce purchase trash recepticles ( maybe with 
    ads on them) and give them to member stores.  The DPW would be
    responsible for emptying them on a weekly or twice a week basis
    as required.  This is not a new idea, since back in the 60's we
    had meter-mounted trash cans (green with ads on some) all around
    the downtown area, and they worked very nicely.
    
    Now that we are getting some of the vacant stores occupied, I will 
    dust off this suggestion at the annual Chamber of Commerce breakfast,
    coming up in a few weeks.
    
    Frank  

    As I was reading your note, Frank, I was remembering those green trash
    bins.  What a trip back!  I think they would be useful - but I also
    think a mind-set change is needed, too.  My kids and I will carry our
    personal trash to the next barrel (or it usually gets stuffed in the
    side pocket of my purse!).  My parents are good about "large
    conspicuous trash", but to them butts are a part of nature, I think!
    
    I remember as a kid the grassy area on the wall at the KofC was always
    full of broken bottles, candy wrappers from Bachrach's or Nicky's
    (Cox's to some), and the ever present beer bottle (returnables usually
    good for a chocolate bar to the collector).
    
    Good luck!
    
    -sandy
    

    Re the trash containers, I believe they will help but by themsllves,
    only a little I fear.  I'm very cynical about litterbugs.  As
    mentioned, if you look at the trash container that the Paper Store has,
    you'll notice that there's just as much trash in it's general vacinity
    as there is further down the sidewalk where there are no containers. 
    Granted, it does get used, but my contention is it gets used by people
    who would not litter even if it wasn't there.
    
    I believe that people who litter don't even see the trash containers
    because they aren't looking for them.  People who don't litter, will
    stuff the trash in their pocket and carry it home with them if there is
    no container.  Example: I was sitting in the Copper Kettle having
    dinner and watching a group of people across the street sitting on the
    bench.  When one finished a soda, the can got dropped at his feet. 
    Within ten feet is a trash can.
    
    I would suggest maybe the following:
    
    	1) Trash containers as you mention.
    	2) Enforce that store owners are responsible for their front.
    	3) Publicity campaign...maybe just labelling the containers with 
    	   some brightly colored words to the effect "Keep it clean.  It's
           your town".
    	4) Enforcing litter laws.  Ticket pedestrians as well as drivers.
           Maybe also on the containers warnings regarding enforcement of 
           litter laws.
    
    

    I was glad to read that there is a trash barrel in front of the Paper
    Store.  A few times I've been walking downtown (and eating a candy bar)
    and looked for a trash bin.  None.  Anywere.  Ever.  This is expecially
    evident when there are parades and there is more trash than usual.  
    I think there is one in the park, but can't remember off hand.
    There especially should be some near the benches were folks sit and eat 
    their lunches.
    

    
    reference 119.14
    
         how do you plan enforcement done to the shop owners; the shop
    owners already catch enough grief when some one gets a parking ticket
    a bike is left on the side walk and many other things that the shop
    owners have no control over.
    
    bc 

    re .16  I know the shop owners aren't responsible for litterers but the
    sidewalks are always a mess and I believe that they should be
    responsible for keeping the area clean in front of their stores. 
    Enforcement is another matter.  I don't know if they are legally
    responsible for this today.
    
    I'm not trying to come down on the business owners.  I'm just looking
    for solutions.
    
    You're right, they have no control before and during litering, but they
    do have responsibility (in my opinion) for the area.
    
    Jim

    
    Ahhhh, your key word is responsibility and we appear to be in agreement
    on this issue; I only took distress when you mention the word
    enforcement, this needs to be a joint venture between the town and the
    shop keepers and its citizens. If everyone thought of downtown area
    as their town then I believe that individuals would not trash it as
    they do now. I have seen people who are the first to call the police
    when they see some one dumping trash around or on their land, but they
    in turn come out of the coffee shop and drop their paper coffee cup
    in the street gutter.  Maybe we should start Maynard Pride days up
    again.
    
    
    
    

    Yes, I think that a "marketing" campaign to raise awareness could help
    alot.  I believe that people who litter don't realize the affect of
    what they're doing.  If it was brought to their attention, perhaps we
    could have a significant impact.  
    
    I also think that there's a domino affect that happens...the worse it
    gets, the more people litter.  For example, *some* people might litter
    less if they thought their piece of litter made a difference, but if
    the downtown is just cluttered with litter, there's a subconscious "one
    more piece doesn't matter" trigger.
    
    Doing not-so-subtle things, like picking something up that someone
    drops, even if you don't confront them as long as they see you do it,
    would make a difference.  Along the lines of setting example and laying
    some guilt at the same time.
    
    Jim

Well, I'm delighted to hear that people are using condoms.
On the other hand, it does sound pretty ishy to have to
pick up someone else's used condom. Eeek!!


Liz

The reply in .22 refers to the type of litter I have found in my yard, described
in .21 which the moderators found offensive. I don't know which aspect disturbed
them, labeling people and over generalization of all people (which I said was 
wrong and "fixed" in the reply), describing the mess that I find in my yard as a
result of other's attitudes toward our environment, or the being specific as to
what they may deem "offensive" litter (I only reported what's there), or my mis-
understanding the habits of smokers.

Due to my own situation I am pretty tolerant, or at least try to be, of others.
It would be at the very least hypocritical for me not to be, however, I see no
excuse for littering and trashing the place where we live, work, or visit. Why
anyone would want to mess up our living space doesn't make sense to me, and 
there seems to be no excuse for it. As a society we don't tolerate many things
and we don't mind others using strong words spoken against rapists, child
abusers, but since littering is a "minor" crime, even though it affects all of 
us every day, I guess I have to be more careful how I speak about people who
violate littering laws and common courtesy with more courtesy on my part.

I apologize to those that I offended. I guess I am offended so much so often
with policing my yard against the trash tossers that it became to difficult 
for me to hold that in. There is probably as little excuse for that behavior
as there is for the behavior of the ones I spoke out against.



How's this?:

There are enough careless people out there who make a real mess of the world,
our streets, and my yard. These people seem to favor tossing food wrappers,
cups and utensils from fast food restaurants and beverage containers. 

I spend a fair amount of time in the course of a week cleaning up after people
that behave like that. Why? Because I don't live on a quaint back road or down 
town (which I was surprized to hear about, it seems minor to me from my vantage
point), but on a state highway in Maynard where it is seems to be irresistable
behavior to toss trash from cars, bicycles, as well as people walking and run-
ning by into my drive and yard after they through with their burgers and beer
There isn't  a day that a new beer can or bottle, McDonald's trash, and other
assorted litter doesn't appear in my yard. The broken glass can be especially
dangerous to anyone in my family. 

It seems like we are the first likely dumping ground after passing the tennis
courts, or I have upset a lot of people off and they are getting their revenge
in this manner.

But I also understand that this isn't a local problem because you see it every-
where, making you wonder about the attitudes of other people and what kind of
value system they have, and how it can be so different from the most people I
know. I see it in Maynard, I also see it on the Cape where we have a summer 
cottage.

Butts:  I guess we can't figure on other's behaviors, but even when many smokers
use their ashtray to hold there butts all to often it simply gets dumped on the
ground in one big pile instead of the random distribution accomplished by butt
tossing. Maybe we need a deposit and return for butts :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

(if the smiley face didn't say it, I am not serious about that last idea!)

john