Village opts for new garbage collection service

Approval comes after series of complaints from current provider

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Village residents should expect to see new refuse and recycling carts lined up along Twin Lakes streets at the start of 2017, after the board voted to discontinue services with Advanced Disposal at Monday’s regular meeting, opting for Groot Industries.

While residents could pay a projected $9 annual increase, pending the outcome of a three-year contract, the move comes after the village hall logged hundreds of complaints about Advanced Disposal.

Village Trustees Kevin Fitzgerald and Sharon Bower were absent from the meeting.

Village Administrator Jennifer Frederick, who reiterated the increase is just a projection, revealed in last week’s joint meeting between Twin Lakes and the Town of Randall that village officials have 16 pages of complaints.

The most notable, however, are collectors missing garbage carts along their routes.

Some residents allegedly resorted to getting a Roll Off Dumpster Rental to collect the large amount of garbage that had not been taken from their street.

Village Trustee Tom Connolly expressed concern related to missed carts, illustrating multiple scenarios, both hypothetical and from his personal experience.

“We got 16 pages worth of complaints from our staff,” said Connolly, who lives in same subdivision as fellow Trustee Jeremy Knoll. “Personally, Jeremy and I live in the same subdivision and he said that his garbage is not picked up.”

While the scenario poses several questions, including residents not placing carts out to the curb in a timely manner, Connolly added that nearly all in his neighborhood comply.

“The only way you can miss one on your route is if you are going down the street, is if I fail to put it out before you get there,” said Connolly. “The onus is on me. I make a mistake, but come down the street, I see all garbage cans are out, I don’t see how you can miss them.”

According to Operations Manager James Leszczynski, Advanced Disposal has worked to resolve the issues since the Sept. 14 joint meeting, offering a written statement to the board.

However, after the village weighed all bidders, which also included John’s Disposal, they voted for Groot Industries.

According to early, but not official projections, John’s Disposal proposed an annual increase of $15 compared to the current contract with Advanced Disposal set to expire Dec. 31.

Currently, the five-year contract with Advanced Disposal charges residents about $145 annually.

Other business:
The board approved on a 4-0 vote the following items:
• Purchase of a new Freightliner public works truck, not to exceed $166,000.
• Two MindShare Dispatch consoles (radios and equipment) from General Communications not to exceed $54,000.
• A software license and support agreement with a payment plan for computer-aided dispatch software from ProPhoenix not to exceed $72,000.
• The above items were discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting, where they revealed the upgrades came after a lift station project came under budget, therefore, giving them available funding.


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