I was rather surprised to read in the Harvard Press (Aug. 16) that the staff of the Harvard Transfer Station can surmise just by watching seniors throw away their trash that they are gaming the system by “bringing an unusually high number of trash bags to the Transfer Station each week.” Just because someone with grey hair throws away more than one bag of trash doesn’t mean that they are “bringing not only their own trash but that of neighbors as well.” Did it ever occur to the Transfer Station attendants that people are cleaning out their homes in anticipation of downsizing? What about those who have sold their homes or are moving? Or perhaps they are genuinely assisting a sick or disabled neighbor. A simple conversation with the Transfer Station patrons might easily have shed some light on the question without jumping to the negative conclusion of grifting the system.
It is indeed unfortunate that a few seniors tried to eke out some income by collecting other people’s trash for profit. While I can admire their entrepreneurial spirit, I’m glad they were stopped. But to assume that all seniors are trying to chisel the town out of a few bucks in Transfer Station fees is ludicrous and insulting.
If the system is broken, fix it reasonably and fairly for all residents..
Meg Bagdonas
South Shaker Road
