To the Editor:
It’s tough to add much to The Reading Recap’s excellent coverage of the Town’s new trash contract (“Select Board Approves New Trash Contract After Lengthy Debate”), but since a few neighbors have asked me about it, I’d like to share a quick summary and add a little additional color.
As the article explained, the Select Board recently approved a new five-year contract with Republic Services, totaling about $12.6 million. I also want to thank the Select Board for their efforts to keep costs down for residents. By negotiating the bulky item fees down (from $75 to $30 and $80 to $40) and adding two free DPW bulky item drop-off events each year, they’ve made this transition much more manageable for households.
Here’s what’s staying the same:
- Weekly trash and recycling pickup will continue as usual.
And here’s what’s changing:
- Bulky item fees begin in July 2026:
Starting then, certain large household items will come with a pickup fee:- $30 for each burnable bulky item (like wooden chairs or futon mattresses)
- $40 for each small metal item (like grills without propane tanks, bed frames, ladders, or lamps)
Small metal items that fit in your regular trash barrel—like empty paint cans or wire hangers—can still go out at no extra cost.
- Size limits will apply:
Some oversized items—like snowblowers, lawnmowers, outdoor furniture, or sofa beds—will cost $80 each to pick up. Republic won’t collect anything larger than the size limits without that special fee. - Two free drop-off events every year:
To make this easier, the Department of Public Works (DPW) will host two free bulky-item drop-off days each year, most likely in the spring and fall. That’s a great no-cost option if you’d rather not pay for curbside pickup. - Recycling schedule changes in 2027:
Recycling pickup is expected to shift to every other week. A second recycling barrel will be available for free if you need one. Trash pickup will stay weekly, but a second trash barrel will cost $200.
The Town could have absorbed the cost of bulky item pickup—about $1.4 million over five years—but chose the fee-based system to help keep taxes down while giving residents flexibility in how they manage disposal.
And don’t forget: groups like Mission of Deeds will pick up gently used furniture and household items for free. That’s a great way to save money and help neighbors in need at the same time.
These changes don’t kick in until next July, but knowing what’s ahead gives everyone time to plan. Whether you use the free drop-off days or donate items to a nonprofit, there will be ways to avoid new fees while keeping Reading clean, healthy, and sustainable.
Thanks for reading,
Ron Powell
South Street
