Montville — Town officials recently tossed plans to implement the pay-as-you-throw trash program for users of the transfer station, sidestepping a weekslong backlash and pledging to overhaul trash-disposal policies.

Over the next several weeks, the Public Works Department and town councilors will examine ways to revamp the solid waste ordinance, including potentially increasing the $55 annual transfer station sticker fee, capping the number of bags residents can bring in per visit or eliminating one-day passes to prevent so-called "piggybacking" by people dumping as much as a truckload of bags at once.

"I think we need to fix the regulations first. That will solve 80 percent of our problems," said Town Council Chairman Tom McNally, who recently acknowledged that town officials did a poor job initially marketing pay-as-you-throw.

Used in hundreds of New England towns and cities, pay-as-you-throw is designed to reduce solid waste, increase recycling and save municipalities on disposal costs. But state and town officials' pitches of various versions of the program in New London, Ledyard and Montville sparked debate and confusion in recent months.

In Montville, it would have impacted only those residents who use the transfer station, not those who pay private companies to pick up their trash.

Officials say they'll hold off on discussion on pay-as-you-throw for six months to a year as they evaluate the effectiveness of new policies. While any policy updates are unlikely to boost recycling as much as pay-as-you-throw, multiple officials encouraged the town to create an in-depth recycling education program.

"I don't think the pay-per-bag was the Hail Mary of this town," Town Councilor Billy Caron said. "If we can fix it on the regulations, I think we can really move forward on this without penalizing the taxpayers and the people who use this transfer station."

Town Council Deputy Chairman Wills Pike suggested revamping the solid waste ordinance last month, noting it hadn't been altered much since 1989.

Public Works Director Donald W. Bourdeau said "Montville is not alone" in grappling with piggybacking and other solid waste concerns, and he's been discussing the issue with his peers in other towns.

Woodstock, he said, is considering buying a scale to weigh people's trash, because "in essence, that's the fairest way to do it."

Multiple officials said the transfer station should no longer take construction debris, which the town currently accepts on a limited basis.

Pike is pushing the town to consider a different disposal system altogether: a pay-per-bag alternative implemented in Bennington, Vt., where he's originally from.

"I think you can go without the sticker charge if you go a la carte and charge people for everything they bring in," Pike said. "I firmly believe that we can hold people accountable."

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.

b.kail@theday.com