MONROE - The City of Monroe Common Council, on a vote of 8 to 1, approved the city moving to an automated system of trash collection at a meeting Tuesday.
The issue of whether to use a vendor for the service or for the city to invest in the necessary garbage trucks and carts was sent back to the Board of Public Works for discussion at a future meeting.
Department heads anticipate the new method of using garbage trucks equipped with mechanical arms that pick up and dump specialized trash and recycling containers would go into effect next spring.
Council members' decision was based mainly on a cost analysis study done by the city, which compared continuing the city service as it is currently performed by city employees and using the automated trucks. The analysis also included proposals for the service from four vendors - Pellitteri Waste Systems, Rock Valley Disposal, Veolia Environmental Services and Waste Management Inc., all of which use the automated system.
The analysis showed that the city, by going automated, would spend $50,000 to $67,000 less annually compared to hiring a vendor, and would save more than $350,000 a year compared to its current collection method.
Several council members reported receiving questions from city residents about the system; particularly, where they would store the new carts and how much the carts would cost them.
The cost of the carts, one for trash and one for recycling per household, was worked into the analysis as a cost to the city, according to City Administrator Phil Rath. How to charge for a larger cart or a second cart would be part of the discussion on fees if the city chooses to perform the services itself. Rath indicated the added cost to a property owner would be minimal, about $2, similar to purchasing stickers for extra bags. The carts come in 35-gallon, 65-gallon and 95-gallon sizes.
As for forcing residents to make the change, the council called on a past director of city public works, Nate Klassy, to explain how the city worked through a previous trash collection change - from allowing all the trash bags a resident wanted to limiting collection to one bag. "It took time to work out," Klassy said.
"To benefit taxpayers, a little inconvenience may be something we have to adjust to," said Alderman Tom Miller.
Tom Boll, supervisor of the city department of street and sanitation, said his crews would continue to "work with the people" who cannot safely handle getting one of the small 35-gallon carts to the curb.
"That's our job," he added.
The automated system requires fewer employees to perform the same amount of work. Council President Tyler Schultz said the extra employees now being used for trash collection would not be eliminated, but rather used on other projects.
With the added savings from automation, Schultz hopes to bring back Clean Up Days.
Boll also noted that automation would reduce workers' compensation, because picking up and tossing garbage bags can cause shoulder and back injuries. Crossing streets to retrieve bags also is a "major safety issue," he added.
Aldermen Sara Conway and Charles Schuringa indicated they would like to see trash collection services stay under the city's control.
"If we keep it in city, we have more say over the rules and regulation," Conway noted.
"If the city does the work, the money stays here," Schuringa added.
Alderman Boyce stated that large vendor companies "could do a lot the city can't do," and can have more flexibility to incorporate new technology.
"But the bottom line is, can we do it better more efficiently?" he said.
The issue of whether to use a vendor for the service or for the city to invest in the necessary garbage trucks and carts was sent back to the Board of Public Works for discussion at a future meeting.
Department heads anticipate the new method of using garbage trucks equipped with mechanical arms that pick up and dump specialized trash and recycling containers would go into effect next spring.
Council members' decision was based mainly on a cost analysis study done by the city, which compared continuing the city service as it is currently performed by city employees and using the automated trucks. The analysis also included proposals for the service from four vendors - Pellitteri Waste Systems, Rock Valley Disposal, Veolia Environmental Services and Waste Management Inc., all of which use the automated system.
The analysis showed that the city, by going automated, would spend $50,000 to $67,000 less annually compared to hiring a vendor, and would save more than $350,000 a year compared to its current collection method.
Several council members reported receiving questions from city residents about the system; particularly, where they would store the new carts and how much the carts would cost them.
The cost of the carts, one for trash and one for recycling per household, was worked into the analysis as a cost to the city, according to City Administrator Phil Rath. How to charge for a larger cart or a second cart would be part of the discussion on fees if the city chooses to perform the services itself. Rath indicated the added cost to a property owner would be minimal, about $2, similar to purchasing stickers for extra bags. The carts come in 35-gallon, 65-gallon and 95-gallon sizes.
As for forcing residents to make the change, the council called on a past director of city public works, Nate Klassy, to explain how the city worked through a previous trash collection change - from allowing all the trash bags a resident wanted to limiting collection to one bag. "It took time to work out," Klassy said.
"To benefit taxpayers, a little inconvenience may be something we have to adjust to," said Alderman Tom Miller.
Tom Boll, supervisor of the city department of street and sanitation, said his crews would continue to "work with the people" who cannot safely handle getting one of the small 35-gallon carts to the curb.
"That's our job," he added.
The automated system requires fewer employees to perform the same amount of work. Council President Tyler Schultz said the extra employees now being used for trash collection would not be eliminated, but rather used on other projects.
With the added savings from automation, Schultz hopes to bring back Clean Up Days.
Boll also noted that automation would reduce workers' compensation, because picking up and tossing garbage bags can cause shoulder and back injuries. Crossing streets to retrieve bags also is a "major safety issue," he added.
Aldermen Sara Conway and Charles Schuringa indicated they would like to see trash collection services stay under the city's control.
"If we keep it in city, we have more say over the rules and regulation," Conway noted.
"If the city does the work, the money stays here," Schuringa added.
Alderman Boyce stated that large vendor companies "could do a lot the city can't do," and can have more flexibility to incorporate new technology.
"But the bottom line is, can we do it better more efficiently?" he said.