From left are Councilman Kenneth Dahlgren, Councilman Paul Oyer, Town Supervisor Tim Burkett, and Councilman John Barber discussing the potential Dumpster Days return. P-J photo by Owen Reed Spring Cleaning Frewsburg’s ‘Dumpster Days’ Returning Once Again By Owen Reed oreed@post-journal.com FREWSBURG – Despite having scrapped the idea entirely, Carroll town officials recently made the decision to bring back the tradition of Dumpster Days. Driven by a desire to give back to residents as much as possible, the town officials were able to make a stable plan to implement the day once for the 2026 year. Now community members will once again have the opportunity to clear out any garbage during spring cleaning, with dumpsters available at no charge to town residents. Highway Superintendent Chad Allison brought the idea to town board members during a recent meeting. Allison initially noted that there have been many in the area that have expressed an interest in the event’s return. As a result, Allison gave the recommendation to bring back the event for one day annually, with a 2026 date of May 16. Though the event previously had a budget line specifically for funding, that had been removed once town officials did away with the event. To solve this Allison stated that the cost would be taken directly out of the general highway budget. Some town officials quickly expressed concern at the idea due to the many times that the town has attempted to implement this event before to varying success. The town has previously tried to host the event twice each year, once each month, and once each year. On top of that, officials noted that some past events even attempted to implement a fee. Allison stated that the event would be of no charge to residents of the town, and that the event would only be once annually should it be successful. “We tried twice per year for a while, we went to once a year, then we went to once a month for like five months,” said Councilman Ken Dahlgran. “I know when we did it once or twice per year, there was a period of time where we had pretty good participation in it.” Dahlgren and Councilman John Barber also expressed concern over the use of money. With it being so early in the year, both seemed concerned over allowing such a large cost in the highway department’s general budget. Allison stated that the total costs will include the price per dumpster and the time-and-a-half pay for two highway employees. The dumpsters come out to about $395 each, with the overtime employees needing to be paid for a total of eight hours for the event. This would likely bring the total cost of the event to between $1,800 and $2,000, according to Allison. “Go back to the budget process. We worked pretty hard to nail down a budget to get in there, and you have to make decisions of what goes,” said Barber. “We spent considerable time discussing and made a decision that this should not be in there in order to make a budget.” Councilman Paul Oyer asked if there were any possible funds that the highway department could reallocate, including funds dedicated for various sidewalk projects. Allison is not yet aware if funds would be able to be pulled from these areas. Town Supervisor Tim Burkett stated that this hit to the department’s budget will have to be reflected at a later time, with Allison having stated that the department is prepared to spend the amount. The town ended up voting to allow the event, on the condition that the total costs to not cause a deficit or exceed $2,000. Dahlgren made the recommendation that the department also keep track of the number of people that utilize the service, with Town Clerk Sue Rowley also adding that there should be some verification that guests are town residents. Allison agreed to all of these terms and the motion to allow the event was passed.

FREWSBURG – Despite having scrapped the idea entirely, Carroll town officials recently made the decision to bring back the tradition of Dumpster Days.

Driven by a desire to give back to residents as much as possible, the town officials were able to make a stable plan to implement the day once for the 2026 year. Now community members will once again have the opportunity to clear out any garbage during spring cleaning, with dumpsters available at no charge to town residents.

Highway Superintendent Chad Allison brought the idea to town board members during a recent meeting. Allison initially noted that there have been many in the area that have expressed an interest in the event’s return. As a result, Allison gave the recommendation to bring back the event for one day annually, with a 2026 date of May 16. Though the event previously had a budget line specifically for funding, that had been removed once town officials did away with the event. To solve this Allison stated that the cost would be taken directly out of the general highway budget.

Some town officials quickly expressed concern at the idea due to the many times that the town has attempted to implement this event before to varying success. The town has previously tried to host the event twice each year, once each month, and once each year. On top of that, officials noted that some past events even attempted to implement a fee. Allison stated that the event would be of no charge to residents of the town, and that the event would only be once annually should it be successful.

“We tried twice per year for a while, we went to once a year, then we went to once a month for like five months,” said Councilman Ken Dahlgran. “I know when we did it once or twice per year, there was a period of time where we had pretty good participation in it.”

Dahlgren and Councilman John Barber also expressed concern over the use of money. With it being so early in the year, both seemed concerned over allowing such a large cost in the highway department’s general budget. Allison stated that the total costs will include the price per dumpster and the time-and-a-half pay for two highway employees. The dumpsters come out to about $395 each, with the overtime employees needing to be paid for a total of eight hours for the event. This would likely bring the total cost of the event to between $1,800 and $2,000, according to Allison.

“Go back to the budget process. We worked pretty hard to nail down a budget to get in there, and you have to make decisions of what goes,” said Barber. “We spent considerable time discussing and made a decision that this should not be in there in order to make a budget.”

Councilman Paul Oyer asked if there were any possible funds that the highway department could reallocate, including funds dedicated for various sidewalk projects.

Allison is not yet aware if funds would be able to be pulled from these areas. Town Supervisor Tim Burkett stated that this hit to the department’s budget will have to be reflected at a later time, with Allison having stated that the department is prepared to spend the amount. The town ended up voting to allow the event, on the condition that the total costs to not cause a deficit or exceed $2,000. Dahlgren made the recommendation that the department also keep track of the number of people that utilize the service, with Town Clerk Sue Rowley also adding that there should be some verification that guests are town residents. Allison agreed to all of these terms and the motion to allow the event was passed.