A Closer Look At Pay At the Dump

To the Editor:

The Jackson adminstration is once again concocting new ways of punishing the taxpayer.

Not only has he presided over tax increase after tax increase while at the same time piling up unprecedented debt during his term in office, he is now attempting to implement more fees to support his tax and spend strategy.

His council is about to consider increasing dumping fees for the following items: $10 to dispose of tires, 2) $25 to dispose of appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and dryers, and 3) $30 for dumping bedding.

By the way, no cash will be accepted at the gate making the proposal that much more aggravating.

Imagine, if you will, someone coming to the dump with a washer. He/She is told that it will cost $25. Surprised, the reply might be, “I don’t have the money -- that is why it was decided to bring the washer here by myself. I couldn’t afford to pay anyone to haul the washer.”

The attendant says, “Sorry, we take credit or debit cards.”

“Credit cards!” - comes the reply. “Who has a credit card? The failed economy has already taken that from me.”

The attendant says, “Sorry, you need to take that back where it came from.”

I don’t know about you, but I can just visualize the washer lying somewhere within the vicinity of West Rock. Moreover, I can visualize the dumping grounds being extended from its current location to the broader West Rock area. Are you beginning to see the problem with this brilliant plan?

Chief Administrative Office Curt Leng said the following when confronted with the difficulty of implementing his plan to persecute the taxpayer: “While it won't be easy, it is necessary." The town now spends $750,000 a year getting rid of items dumped at the transfer station, he said, and it needs a way to recoup those costs. "The implementation of fees is a starting mark."

In other words, this is just the beginning of the new fees we plan to implement.

Curiously, there wasn’t a problem increasing his salary. There wasn’t a problem paying legal fees for frivolous lawsuits for failed employee policies. There wasn’t a problem taking on greater and greater debt for the various projects around town. There wasn’t a problem awarding a no bid contract for trash hauling.

Now, however, there is a problem for the town to pay for services that could easily be managed if there was someone competent in charge.

When will the people of Hamden decide they have had enough? I am already there. Join me in this war against the tax paying public.

Ron Gambardella
Republican Town Committee Chairman