WESTPORT — A new policy to prevent contractors and others from leaving dumpsters on town property indefinitely and to protect the town in case private trash bins damage municipal property was approved last week by the Board of Selectwomen.

The aim of the policy, introduced by Eileen Francis, office manager for the selectwomen, is not only to better regulate placement of unsightly dumpsters, it may also earn revenue for the town by imposing an application fee and a late fee if dumpsters are left in place too long.

“We need to make town policy [on dumpsters] a little more robust …There are costs to the town,” Francis said. 

Police and Department of Public Works staff have to go out to sites to be sure dumpsters are positioned safely and do not take up parking spaces for multiple days or damage town property, she said. “We needed some incentive for oversight … and making a financial component … Conditions need to be put on this activity,” she said.

If a dumpster is to be placed on town property for longer than seven days, the contractor will need to obtain a temporary construction easement from the town, she said. An easement could apply specific conditions, including compensation to the town if there is damage from the receptacle to town property. Additional insurance would be required and legal services would be needed for the easement, she added.

The policy, approved unanimously by the selectwomen, was formulated jointly by police and public works officials, as well as the Town Attorney’s office.