WATERVILLE — Two of the three candidates running for the Ward 2 City Council seat say the city’s new trash collection system puts an unfair tax on residents, who should have been given the opportunity to vote on the program before it was implemented.

City councilors in June voted 5-2 to approve a $37.2 million municipal and school budget that included pay-as-you-throw, a system that requires residents to buy special purple bags for their trash and place them at the curb.

While candidates Zackary T. Bickford, a Republican, and Normand P. Veilleux, who is running with no political party affiliation on the ballot, oppose pay-as-you throw, candidate Nathaniel J. White, a Democrat, says it appears to be reducing the city’s waste stream and should be given a chance.

“I believe that truly, we need to try this,” said White, Alfond Youth Center’s American Heritage Tour director and rental coordinator. “You can’t bring something down if you don’t try it. A lot of people don’t like change. I’m for giving it a shot.”

Bickford, a Thomas College student and manager at his family business, Scotty’s Pizza, says he wants to make sure a referendum is held next year to allow resident to decide whether to repeal pay-as-you-throw. As part of their vote to approve the program, councilors voted to set the referendum for June 2015.

“I am against the whole trash bag tax,” Bickford said. “I don’t like how it was put on the city of Waterville. I really feel it should have been put to the voters first and let it be decided that way.”

Veilleux, an occupational behavioral health professional coordinator for Central Maine Learning Center, which is part of Becket Family of Services, went so far as to say he thinks the city wasn’t honest with residents about pay-as-you-throw, which he does not believe will result in a savings for the city. Veilleux said he thinks councilors made up their minds to approve pay-as-you-throw before hearing residents’ concerns about it.

“They should have had people vote on it in the first place and not left it up to seven people (on the council),” he said.

Veilleux said he is running for council because he wants to “move Waterville forward.” He said everyone should be heard, regardless of political party affiliation, and councilors should listen.

“I think the people should have more of a voice in options — what happens in city budgets — and decide where the money should go and not go,” he said.

White said he is running because it is something he has wanted to do. He previously tried to run for the seat but did not collect enough residents’ signatures to be eligible.

“I live and I work in Ward 2 and I’ve been in Ward 2 probably my whole life, and I want to represent those people,” White said. “I have a great sense of community and I listen very well to people.”

Bickford, a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, said he wants to give back to the community. He served on the council last year after councilors appointed him to replace Michael Owens, who moved out of the ward.

“I really enjoyed doing it,” Bickford said.

Bickford said that, if elected, he wants to see the city get Maine Business Friendly certification as part of the state’s plan for economic growth.

Veilleux said if elected, he will listen to the residents and not shut them down at council meetings, as he has seen happen at meetings he attended.

“I’m willing to listen to any ideas,” he said.

White, a Fairfield firefighter and former Waterville firefighter, said he wants to help the community grow and develop. He said he has ideas for creating revenue, including having an ambulance-type rescue truck that can transport patients who may have less serious problems. Delta Ambulance transports all patients now, although rescue trucks respond to accidents and other calls.

All three candidates said they think City Manager Michael Roy is performing well in his position. Bickford said Roy has done a great job of working with people on all sides of issues.

“I’ve been pleased with his work that he’s been bringing forth,” Bickford said.

White said he knows Roy and his family and that he does a lot of work for the city.

“I think he’s very professional, and he’s done a very good job for the city of Waterville,” White said.

Veilleux said he thinks Roy would do even better under the direction of a new council.

“He would do very well. He’s a very intelligent man,” Veilleux said.

Amy Calder — 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @AmyCalder17

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