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No cleanup day in new budget
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MONROE - The city will not be bringing back the popular free cleanup day for large objects.

Property owners will still be able to get rid of larger garbage items, like refrigerators, with their regular garbage - for a fee.

The City of Monroe Board of Public Works discussed the idea of charging everyone a small amount each year to pay for the cleanup day, in addition to the fee-based sticker system that is already in place, after Alderman Jan Lefevre asked the item be brought up at the meeting, but her proposal was rejected.

Residents will be getting information for disposing large objects along with their water utility bills each month.

Lefevre said she has had many requests from people who want the service back.

The city dispensed with the service last year in light of budget constraints and did not include the service in the budget for 2010.

Street Department Supervisor Tom Boll said one problem with charging everyone a fee is the single and elderly who typically have a small amount of large junk to dispose of.

Boll supplied board members with a list of items the city will pick up for a fee. For items not specifically listed, residents may call the Street Department for a price quote.

Residents can purchase a sticker to place on a large garbage object to have the item picked up on a regular garbage day.

Boll said residents also have the options of taking their items directly to the landfill for a cost of $42 a ton.

Public Works Director Kelly Finkenbinder said having a single cleanup day was not as economical as picking up items on the regular trash day.

Alderman Dan Henke said the current program also does not restrict people to a particular time to do their cleaning. He added that residents could organize a cleanup day for their block or subdivision in order to reduce the number of curb-side junk piles.

The cost of a bulky waste sticker varies according to the item. In the past, the city has charged $50 for refrigerators and freezers, $40 for air conditioning units, and $20 for washers, dryers, stoves, water heaters and dishwashers. The city also has an e-waste recycling program for electronic waste and batteries.

For more information on what the city will pick up and fees, call the Street Department, 329-2495.