[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Health of the Town of Northborough 9-30-1991. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
The cost of solid waste disposal has been escalating in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since the early 1980s. Municipalities such as Northborough have been carrying the burden of these increased costs. The Town of Northborough disposes an estimated 600 tons of leaves every year. Disposal of leaves by removal to a waste to energy disposal site cost the Town of Northborough approximately $17,000 in Fiscal Year 1991.
B. 
Certain natural materials, such as leaves, are inefficiently disposed of by incineration or landfilling. Leaves are natural, biodegradable material that can be managed by a composting program.
It is the intent of the Board of Health of the Town of Northborough to encourage alleviation of the solid waste burden by providing for recycling of leaves, which are natural recyclable materials that yield a useful product. Therefore, these regulations are adopted by the Board of Health pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 111, Section 31.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
COMPOST
A product produced by the natural decay of leaves.
LEAVES
The foliage of trees. Other vegetative wastes are not affected by these regulations.
A. 
No person shall dispose or attempt to dispose of leaves in the Town of Northborough refuse collection, either at curbside or in a private or municipally-owned dumpster or a similar receptacle for disposal. The Town of Northborough refuse collection will no longer accept leaves. All leaves collected on public or private property in the Town of Northborough must be:
(1) 
Composted by the landowner on site;
(2) 
Disposed of at the landowner’s expense in a manner approved by the Board of Health; or
(3) 
Disposed of at a Town of Northborough leaf collection site in accordance with its regulations.
B. 
Leaves to be disposed of per Subsection A(3) must be separated and not mixed with other matter and delivered to a leaf collection site designated by the town, with containers removed by the person delivering.
C. 
The Board of Health also encourages home composting of leaves and other vegetative waste. Residents may request information on composting from the Town Engineer.
A. 
The provisions of these regulations shall be enforced by the Board of Health.
B. 
Any person who attempts to dispose of leaves by means other than those permitted by these regulations shall be subject to a fine of not more than $25 per day for each day of offense.