Charging Residents for Special Pick Up?

During budget talks Thursday, trustee Nick Episcopia suggested residents be charged for special garbage pick up in order to generate additional revenue for the village.

He made the suggestion in light of the fact that more businesses, particularly on Ring Road and north Franklin Avenue, are opting out of village garbage collection.
When first estimated some years ago, officials thought that $230,000 would be met. In reality, the village will actually see approximately $130,000 for the year. "That's a big, big difference," Episcopia said.

Businesses are billed for all collection over the one dumpster per week, said Department of Public Works director Robert Mangan. The residential equivalent was estimated to be one one-and-a-half yard dumpster or 10 cans per week at using 30 gallon cans, he said, adding that crews inspect the business district twice a year. Cameras have been installed to ensure compliance. That expected revenue may go up if surveillance shows some guys trying to "beat the system," he said.

With regards to special pick ups, Episcopia said, "You can pile up 25, 30 bags, you can pile up old furniture, you can pile up just about anything out there and the village comes and picks it up free of charge. Somehow I don't think that's something we can afford to do anymore and we're going to have to charge for that."

He suggested charging per square yard or perhaps by the number of garbage bags. "There's got to be some way you can figure out how to charge for that," he said.

Mangan, however, said the current process is working. "[Residents] pay the taxes and they also have the option to put it out on Wednesday," he said. "Rather than having all the large debris put out on Wednesday we can schedule it and pick it up a lot easier this way."

Furniture, concrete, bricks, wood, stumps or any large amount of material are all accepted via special pick up. Residents must call (465-4031) before placing any material at the curb. Special pick ups are available between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. (There is no special pick up on the day that village-wide rubbish collection is scheduled.)

Trustee John DeMaro wasn't a fan of the idea. "I'm generally not in favor of charging people extra money whey they call for a special pick up," he said.

Residents also have the option to drop items off at Garden City's transfer station, located just south of the entrance to Community Park on Cherry Valley Avenue. Residents can drop off anything from rubbish to yard waste and bulky items via a required permit, to be obtained in person at the first floor business office in village hall for a required fee.

Mangan said, overall, the amount of garbage has increased year by year. It's been trending up," he said. "We are very high this year." The spike this year, however, is attributed to Superstorm Sandy.

Would you pay a fee for special pick up? Let us know in the comments section below.