Comments on: Guest Editorial: Nicholas G. Tsakiris on Pay-as-You-Throw http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/ Life in South Berwick, Maine Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:32:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: bss http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-2598 bss Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:31:34 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-2598 it's a very easy way to generate funds in the future too. a simple price increase per bag will instanly generate funds. I've seen it in other towns, no reason to believe S.B. will be any different. It will be much easier to do this than it will make a tough dicision or stick to a budget. This is just another way for them to spend and tax. it’s a very easy way to generate funds in the future too. a simple price increase per bag will instanly generate funds. I’ve seen it in other towns, no reason to believe S.B. will be any different. It will be much easier to do this than it will make a tough dicision or stick to a budget. This is just another way for them to spend and tax.

]]> By: anonymous http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-2591 anonymous Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:46:04 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-2591 the really amusing aspect here is, if the town simply realigned the health insurance benefits offered to all employees to something more in line with what the average private company around here offers....we wouldn't be praying to make 60K on selling people plastic garbage bags. Come on, Molly....the town doesn't really care about encouraging recycling.....they are hoping this is a new revenue stream. if we simply economized in other areas, none of this would be necessary. But, clearly that's not on the agenda. the really amusing aspect here is, if the town simply realigned the health insurance benefits offered to all employees to something more in line with what the average private company around here offers….we wouldn’t be praying to make 60K on selling people plastic garbage bags. Come on, Molly….the town doesn’t really care about encouraging recycling…..they are hoping this is a new revenue stream.

if we simply economized in other areas, none of this would be necessary. But, clearly that’s not on the agenda.

]]> By: Nick http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1508 Nick Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:11:37 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1508 Back on the subject of solid waste, I keep hearing subtle references to a proposal from a private company to take over the town’s solid waste handling. Why is there not more information out about this? I think privatizing the transfer station especially if there are benefits such as single stream and curbside pickup we need to take a serious look at it. I’ll be the first to admit, recycling is not a huge priority in my life, and single stream even if it were pay-per-bag would benefit me greatly since time is so valuable these days. Back on the subject of solid waste, I keep hearing subtle references to a proposal from a private company to take over the town’s solid waste handling. Why is there not more information out about this? I think privatizing the transfer station especially if there are benefits such as single stream and curbside pickup we need to take a serious look at it. I’ll be the first to admit, recycling is not a huge priority in my life, and single stream even if it were pay-per-bag would benefit me greatly since time is so valuable these days.

]]> By: Nick http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1506 Nick Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:59:15 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1506 Rollinsford Tax Rate 2006: $14.38 http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/rollinsford.html South Berwick Tax Rate (proposed): $15.10 http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/GJNEWS_01/947278922/-1/FOSnews010104 With no income or sales taxes and lower excise taxes it’s a no brainer. I work in NH and my employer doesn’t withhold Maine taxes, so I am very much aware of what the tax impact of the state of Maine is. I pay about $3000 out of pocket every year in income taxes for the “privilege” of living here. Maine has the 2nd highest tax burden in the nation, NH is 49th. http://www.taxfoundation.org/news/show/335.html Rollinsford Tax Rate 2006: $14.38
http://www.nh.gov/nhes/elmi/htmlprofiles/rollinsford.html

South Berwick Tax Rate (proposed): $15.10
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080505/GJNEWS_01/947278922/-1/FOSnews010104

With no income or sales taxes and lower excise taxes it’s a no brainer. I work in NH and my employer doesn’t withhold Maine taxes, so I am very much aware of what the tax impact of the state of Maine is. I pay about $3000 out of pocket every year in income taxes for the “privilege” of living here. Maine has the 2nd highest tax burden in the nation, NH is 49th.
http://www.taxfoundation.org/news/show/335.html

]]> By: ladyjane http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1492 ladyjane Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:15:28 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1492 That's what I found in my research too, Dave. I've done comparisons and we would be paying far less in New Hampshire, and we've considered it for awhile since my husband and I both work over the border, and have for many years. That’s what I found in my research too, Dave. I’ve done comparisons and we would be paying far less in New Hampshire, and we’ve considered it for awhile since my husband and I both work over the border, and have for many years.

]]> By: ladyjane http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1491 ladyjane Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:12:07 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1491 I didn't realize I wasn't allowed to voice my own opinion if it differed from the majority view. You are completely right. We have it great here in town. I stand corrected. I didn’t realize I wasn’t allowed to voice my own opinion if it differed from the majority view. You are completely right. We have it great here in town. I stand corrected.

]]> By: Dave Webster (Not the ex-councilor) http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1490 Dave Webster (Not the ex-councilor) Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:11:19 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1490 The state of Maine is one of the highest tax per capita states in the United Staes. New Hampshire is one of the lowest. Considering that state funding for New Hampshire comes from property taxes, adding the property tax for South Berwick to the income tax from the state put most people well over what it would cost in New Hampshire. The state of Maine is one of the highest tax per capita states in the United Staes.
New Hampshire is one of the lowest.
Considering that state funding for New Hampshire comes from property taxes, adding the property tax for South Berwick to the income tax from the state put most people well over what it would cost in New Hampshire.

]]> By: Sharon http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1489 Sharon Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:39:15 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1489 ...........And when you get to New Hampshire, you'll be paying 2-3 times MORE in taxes, and probably PAYT, too. Your cynicism is very strong. Costs in South Berwick are middle of the road, not high. Check out the tax bill of a home your size anywhere in NH..................... We have a pretty good deal. ………..And when you get to New Hampshire, you’ll be paying 2-3 times MORE in taxes, and probably PAYT, too. Your cynicism is very strong. Costs in South Berwick are middle of the road, not high. Check out the tax bill of a home your size anywhere in NH………………… We have a pretty good deal.

]]> By: ladyjane http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1488 ladyjane Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:04:57 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1488 Then perhaps I should just have my employer start making out my paychecks to the to Town of South Berwick. Between the town budget and the school budget I'll have little left. But thank God we'll be recycling more, and that poor SAD35 employee that has to drive all the way home to Exeter at night will still have his van supplied and paid for by all of us as well. Sorry for the rant. Will be busy looking for land in New Hampshire..... Then perhaps I should just have my employer start making out my paychecks to the to Town of South Berwick. Between the town budget and the school budget I’ll have little left. But thank God we’ll be recycling more, and that poor SAD35 employee that has to drive all the way home to Exeter at night will still have his van supplied and paid for by all of us as well. Sorry for the rant.
Will be busy looking for land in New Hampshire…..

]]> By: Molly http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1483 Molly Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:02:27 +0000 http://the236diner.com/2008/06/02/guest-editorial-nicholas-g-tsakiris-on-pay-as-you-throw/#comment-1483 Ladyjane--It seems like it's the opposite of a hidden tax to me. We create the waste and we have to pay for it to be disposed of somehow. In the past it's been in the mil rate and everyone pays the same rate no matter how much or how little trash they create. This shifts the cost so people pay it more directly in proportion to their use of the service. That way it is the personal responsibility of the users of the transfer station to make choices about whether to recycle or not and their costs will be affected by their personal decisions. I heard at the meeting on Tuesday that they are reducing the mil rate to adjust for the pay per throw. Once we have done it for a while we will be able to see how it works out--maybe eventually, with the revenue for pay per throw and from recyclables we can make the transfer station self sufficient so that it doesn't affect our mil rate at all. This year it seems prudent for the town to get revenue--I can't believe the cost of hauling trash away is not going increase. I can't imagine how much gas or diesel those big trash haulers use. Ladyjane–It seems like it’s the opposite of a hidden tax to me. We create the waste and we have to pay for it to be disposed of somehow. In the past it’s been in the mil rate and everyone pays the same rate no matter how much or how little trash they create. This shifts the cost so people pay it more directly in proportion to their use of the service. That way it is the personal responsibility of the users of the transfer station to make choices about whether to recycle or not and their costs will be affected by their personal decisions. I heard at the meeting on Tuesday that they are reducing the mil rate to adjust for the pay per throw. Once we have done it for a while we will be able to see how it works out–maybe eventually, with the revenue for pay per throw and from recyclables we can make the transfer station self sufficient so that it doesn’t affect our mil rate at all. This year it seems prudent for the town to get revenue–I can’t believe the cost of hauling trash away is not going increase. I can’t imagine how much gas or diesel those big trash haulers use.

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