Feels stiffed at the dump

To the editor:

Due to age and a recent diagnosis of possible rotator tear in my right shoulder, I determined it best to take smaller loads to the solid waster disposal site. In the past I have fully loaded my car trunk with overflow in the back seat and paid a charge of $5. For disposal, I drive 50 miles round-trip.

On April 17, I took 10 white plastic grocery bags and 18 glass 12-ounce bottles to the local solid waste disposal site. I had anticipated a charge of $3 based on an estimate of five white bags filling a 33-gallon brown cinch bag for the cost of $2 and the extra $1 for disposal of the glass bottles. My estimate appeared to be wrong, even though the local phone book, page 63, states one can drop off one to four 33-gallon bags or pails for a charge of $1 each.

The attendant advised the charge would be $5 — the same fee as if I had a full carload. When I questioned how he derived the fee, he advised me that I had “10 white bags,” not two “brown bags,” and the fee was $5 and for me to proceed ahead to the Dumpster on the right.

I paid the $5 fee with a $10 bill and told the attendant I could not lift a large brown bag, and he then said, “Fill it at home and empty your white from it when you get here.” I responded that I felt cheated as a senior. And 24 hours later I am still unable to comprehend this situation. It is not the money, it is the principle.

A call to the borough advises me that a bag is a bag. And no matter the size, if it is under 33 gallons, it is $1 each.

So, people load your smaller bags into a larger bag to get your money’s worth, even though it puts a strain on your physical condition. The borough advises it cannot make individual exceptions. Nor does it have the ability to estimate.

Rosemary Hanrath

Willow