Town Administrator Homepage

By the time you receive this newsletter the Town of Shutesbury will have a universal waste shed. The shed will allow for safe storage of fluorescent light bulbs, small batteries, other mercury-containing devices and electronics.

Currently citizens are bringing these items to the Town Hall and they are stored in the boiler room. The shed will help protect the Town Hall staff by getting the items out of the Town Hall. The Recycling and Solid Waste Committee sends collected items off and the mercury is reclaimed about once per year. The procedure will remain the same.

Residents of Shutesbury can bring the above-mentioned items to the Town Hall. Someone from the Town Hall will open the shed and place your items in it. There will continue to be a charge for electronics. If at all possible we would prefer that you hold on to the electronics until a Bulky Waste Day.

There is one very important note. It is illegal to leave mercury products of any type outside of the shed. You must come into the Town Hall and have the shed opened. If we are to keep the shed near the Town Hall for easy access, we must make sure that people do not illegally leave items outside. I ask that you help us to ensure these products are handled properly.

Some of you may be asking, If fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, why use them? Studies have shown that the mercury emitted to create energy is greater than the amount of mercury in the lights. By saving energy you are reducing mercury. Also mercury in bulbs is much easier to control than energy-generation mercury.

We are very pleased to have received this grant and are looking forward to working with you and the state to help reduce mercury in our houses, lakes and streams.

New dog policy
David B. Ames, Town Administrator

The Selectboard has signed a policy using the Amherst Pound as the holding facility for loose dogs. This means that if your dog is picked up, you will be responsible for the $25.00 per day charge as well as any fines levied based on the Town Bylaw. Previously the Amherst Pound was not able to accept dogs from towns other than Amherst.
Shutesbury does not have a pound and dogs were being kept at the Dog Officer's home. This new policy will allow the Dog Officer and Police to bring the dogs directly to the Amherst Pound. Our Dog Officer is receiving numerous complaints about loose dogs on Montague Road and in the vicinity of Lake Wyola. She will begin patrolling these areas on a more frequent basis. Please obey the Leash Bylaw and avoid