Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Archive
BROCKTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Officials in Brockton may reconsider a proposed hike in fees for trash and recycling.
The ordinance to apply the increase recently failed when a vote among city councilors was deadlocked at four to four earlier this month. The proposed 44% hike could be revisited later this month when all councilors are present for a vote. All of which would be fine for this Brocktonian, but he wants to see the bottom line.
"I'd really like to see something published that said Hey, it costs $2 to do this, and we only got a dollar," one local explained.
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If passed, Brocktonians would pay $130 quarterly, up from the current rate of $90. Officials say the fees would cover the costly gap between cost and revenue. The "enterprise fund," which covers trash and recycling in the city, could see a $1.6 million deficit in fiscal year 2027 without the increase. Some residents say they are not convinced that paying more will improve matters.
"They've been promising us better service all along, and the service never gets better. It gets worse," another resident said.
The additional funds would also pay for new 65-gallon trash carts to replace the 35-gallon barrels used now.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chris Fama (CFamaWBZ) reports.