Montville — A resident here recently asked Florence Turner how the town hoped to handle the potential mess created by a "paper bag" trash program.

Turner, a transfer station employee for 16 years, explained that the town is in fact considering a "pay-per-bag" system, not a "paper bag" plan.

And so the re-education begins on the Save Money And Reduce Trash (SMART) plan, a pay-as-you-throw program pitched by town, state and federal officials and implemented for the last two decades in a myriad of New England towns and cities to cut down on solid waste and boost recycling.

Montville officials say over the next several days they will provide informational flyers on the program at the transfer station, upload a presentation and frequently asked questions to the town website and hold at least one more session to further inform the public.

In one form or another, the program has roiled New London's budget situation, sparked outcry for more public sessions in Montville and now is up for debate in Ledyard. East Lyme nixed the program in the late 1990s after using it for six years, but it's been seen as a success in Stonington for two decades.

In Montville, which currently provides curbside recycling pickup but not trash pickup, the pay-as-you-throw program proposed by officials only would impact those who bring their trash to the transfer station.

If pay-as-you-throw eventually is approved as proposed, residents using the transfer station will receive at least 50 plastic bags from the town when they pay their $55 annual sticker fee. Whether the town will give 15- or 30-gallon bags remains to be decided.

State data shows average households in the 556 New England communities that have implemented pay-as-you-throw only generate one bag of genuine trash per week. Residents producing more trash could buy 30- or 15-gallon bags at local shops as needed, at $2 or $1.25, respectively. The program would not impact the town's processes for residential recycling or bulky waste.

Proponents, including Turner and a few Town Council members, say pay-as-you-throw could be the most efficient way to reduce waste because it encourages residents to recycle, compost and donate reusable items that aren't trash, like shoes or small electronics.

Supporters also argue it could minimize the impact of "piggybacking" by residents who avoid paying sticker fees by having others bring their trash to the transfer station. Turner noted that instead of paying the annual sticker fee, some residents pay a $3 one-time visit fee and dump a truckload of trash. She and multiple councilors called for increasing the per-trip fee or capping the number of bags residents could dispose of per visit.

Town Council Chairman Tom McNally earlier this month acknowledged officials did "a very bad job of getting the information out there" in advance of two public sessions on the pay-as-you-throw proposal. McNally said Thursday that another informational session is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, at Town Hall, with officials leaving the door open to more if they're warranted.

In previous public meetings, representatives from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Waste Zero, a state-hired consultant, said the average Montville resident tosses 700 pounds of trash every year. The officials said pay-as-you-throw could slash solid waste disposal by at least 750 tons, saving the town at least $40,000 in tipping fees.

'A million questions'

At Turner's suggestion, the town Public Works/Solid Waste Committee and Public Works Director Donald Bourdeau agreed Wednesday to let transfer station employees receive the same state presentation offered to the public.

"People are asking a million questions," Turner said. "The employees at the transfer station need to know. We're the ones people are coming to."

Bourdeau also cautioned officials to provide ample time to let residents know about any upcoming sessions or eventual votes on the program.

"If it's rushed again, you'll have the same complaints," he said.

The size, quantity and price of bags in the pay-as-you-throw proposal remain up for debate, officials said.

Councilor Billy Caron said Thursday he wants to learn more about the program, noting he's received several calls from seniors concerned about the potential weight of weekly trash bags and the additional costs of buying more if necessary.

"We need to listen to all the citizens on this," Caron said.

Caron also agreed with Councilor Wills Pike, who called for a full review of the town's solid waste collection and disposal regulations that have only been updated a few times since 1989.

Pike also mentioned a pay-per-bag alternative implemented in Bennington, Vt., where he's originally from.

Residents using the transfer station in Bennington receive a free sticker that goes on their vehicle, Pike said. The sticker includes the car's license plate number, which is verified by an attendant every visit. Residents then pay for every bag they dispose of based on size: $2.50 for a standard 15-gallon kitchen bag up to $4.50 for a 39-gallon bag or $7 for a 55-gallon barrel.

"It cleans up the process, very simple. It's not so-and-so has a sticker and so-and-so doesn't," Pike said. "Every time you come in, you pay, but you have a sticker that means you're a resident. It works fantastic and nobody has a problem with it."

b.kail@theday.com