THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, September 30, 2010 A brendan@weirs.com


inNEW HAMP SHI R E LOSS OF TRADITION


FOOL * Live Free *A FLATLANDER’S OBSERVATIONS ON LIFE or Die.


by Brendan Smith Weirs Times Editor


Fifteen years ago, when I


first started writing these columns, I wrote about the many different cul- tural adjustments I had to come to terms with in order to fit in to New Hampshire living as a Flatlander from just out- side of New York City. I covered topics like


learning the language, raking the roof and win- ter driving. One column I wrote way back then struck a lot of nerves and garnered a great response. It was a true New Hamp- shire way of life, a cultural experience. It was an im- portant part of living life here in the Lakes Region and I learned to adapt to it well. Now, these fifteen years


later, this way of life is be- ing threatened into oblivi- on by the changes in soci- ety, by the litigious nature of our fellow man and woman. It is in danger of becoming extinct. Of course I’m talking


about the great social experience of going to the dump. Perhaps you’ve read of


the situation in Mere- dith where 30 plus people confronted the select- man about the new policy which prohibits “dump picking.” “Dump picking” to those


of you unfamiliar, is the process wherein folks go to the dump with empty pick-up trucks and leave with trucks full of discard- ed metal objects thrown away by neighbors. It is not only the greatest way to recycle but it is also a terrific way to bond with others from your town as you climb carefully to- gether amidst the tower of tetanus; the metal Mount Everest at the dump. Old bicycles, tools, golf


clubs and possibly an- tique weaponry from the Middle Ages can be found, dusted off, brought home, cleaned and sharpened and ready to live another day. It seems that the policy


against “dump picking” stems from a new fear of liability facing towns because of possible law- suits bestowed upon them by folks who seem to be looking for more than just good junk when they go to the dump. A news report in an-


other paper in the north- ern part of the state has caused some of this con- cern. It seems a woman at a town dump sued, and was awarded the grand prize of $45,000 in dam- ages, because she was hurt when she stepped on a rolling pin while at the dump. Was she surprised and


not expecting that there might be some junk ly- ing around when she was there? This is akin to be- ing surprised to find that when you turn on the tap in your sink water comes out. Of course, this is just another case of everyone being punished for the sins of one individual. But who can blame any town for now changing their “dump picking” pol- icy? I know a few people who would gladly sacrifice their safety and step on a an errant rolling pin lying about if it means $45,000


in their pockets.


Hey, times are tough. Another reason the towns are cracking down on “dump picking” is be- cause they claim that some folks are taking stuff that has recycling value to the town. Still, it might behoove the towns to re- member who exactly is helping foot the bill for the dump to operate in the first place. They should consider “dump picking” a bit of a return on an in- vestment. In Meredith they are


not doing away with “dump picking” entirely, but the whole process has changed to the point where it has gone from a social adventure to just another bureaucratic pro- cess. If someone is at the dump and sees a nice piece of metal something or other that they might be able to reuse for some- thing constructive and save themselves a few dol- lars, they must bring it to the attention of a dump employee who will get it for them. It is then looked at by the dump employee and assessed as to the possible value this piece of metal might have for the town in the recycling process. If it is deemed of little value the piece of


metal will then be given to the townsperson. If it is considered valuable, they will be denied. How many towns are


considering this policy, I have no clue. But you can be certain that it will catch fire quicker than a bankrupt construction project.


5


And to the lady with the


rolling pin. The “dump pickers” of New Hamp- shire thank you!!


Brendan’s original col-


umn. “A Day At The Dump” which appeared in The Weirs Times’ May 1, 1997 issue is reprinted on this week’s back page.


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