Has Barrington considered curbside trash pickup? (1/16/2024)

Yes, the Town has reviewed options for curbside trash pickup and consistently identified the option as cost prohibitive. In 2015, a proposal for curbside pickup in Barrington came with a cost over $1 million. That would have tripled the operating budget which, in 2015, was $298,694. Residents have also expressed a perspective that part of Barrington's rural character is a lean municipal government which does not provide 'city services'. It is also important to note that curbside trash pickup cannot replace a Transfer Station; RSA 149-M:17 requires that a municipality must provide access to an approved solid waste facility.

Through supply and demand, the private sector has stepped in to offer curbside trash pickup options for residents of Barrington. As a result, many residents opt to pay for those services and may only use the Transfer Station and Recycling Center facility for bulky waste and/or recycling. 70% of Barrington's Transfer Station and Recycling Center is funded by user fees, leaving only 30% which is funded by taxes. Residents can choose to use the Transfer Station and Recycling Center and pay the associated user fees or can pay a private curbside company and know that their taxes are only funding a small portion of the Transfer Station and Recycling Center.