Newton wants to hit jackpot with one-armed trash bandit

NEWTON

The city's finance board is pursuing an automated trash collection system that officials say could save taxpayers $2.5 million over the next five years.

"It's more financially responsible and ecologically a better way to go," said Sydra Schnipper, chairwoman of the Public Facilities Committee, which approved the contract 5-2 this week.

The proposed system would provide each household with a single 64-gallon trash container that would be collected each week by a truck with a single driver and automated arm. Currently, there is no limit to the amount of trash residents can dispose of each week and two drivers are required to collect it.

The new contract must be approved by Dec. 31, Finance Committee chairman Paul Coletti said.

-- Rachana Rathi