Council OKs trash pickup contract option

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by Mark Cheffey

The Palmyra City Council last Thursday unanimously approved granting a third option year contract for solid waste disposal with GFL Environmental.

The contact, which starts up Sept. 1, includes a 37 cents per month increase in residential rates, with 30 cents for seniors, due to rising costs.

GFL Environmental has also requested the city consider granting a new three-year contact to begin at the end of the third option year, but the city is still awaiting information from the company before making a decision.

In discussing the option year request, council members talked about problems with some residents leaving their trash receptacles out on the street after trash pick up which violates city law.

“We need to do something about that,” said Council member Ellen Goodwin, who noted the receptacles can become a traffic hazard when left out on the streets.

Residents are required by city ordinance to pull receptacles away from the street within 24 hours of trash pickup or be subject to fines.

The issue was referred to the city’s code enforcer, Chuck Anderson.

BPW Superintendent Brent Abell reported the board had voted to raise utility start-up costs due to rising costs of materials.

“It’s unreal the way things are going,” Abell said about rising material costs and longer lag times on receiving orders.

City Street Commissioner Austin Dornberger reported his department is finishing up spring street cleaning as well as working to make sure drainage ditches are cleared to “get things flowing good.”

Before adjourning, the council went into closed session, however, no action was taken.