Village enters new refuse agreement

Seven-year contract starts in 2017

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

The Village of Twin Lakes has agreed to terms on a seven-year contract with Groot Industries Inc. for solid waste and recycling collection, effective Jan. 1, following approval at Monday’s Village Board meeting.

With Village Trustees Jeremy Knoll and Aaron Karow absent, the board approved the agreement 5-0.

Groot Industries replaces current contractor Advanced Disposal, which received hundreds of complaints about missed pickups since January of 2016.

The contract calls for a projected rate increase of about $13 annually, compared to the current Advanced Disposal agreement, which is $144 annually.

For a single family/duplex building, homeowners face a monthly charge of $9.30 for one 95-gallon garbage container, with a $5 for each individual container at request of the owner.

Recycling costs are estimated at $3.35 monthly with no charge for an additional container.

The increase includes coverage of village sanitation costs, estimated at about $5 monthly, according to preliminary budget estimates. Sanitation costs, among other items, include yard waste and seaweed collection.

Furthermore, the contract calls for an overall annual 3 percent increase starting in January 2018.

Change in days
Based on efficiency and cost savings, village officials accepted a proposal to change one of two collection days, from Thursday to Wednesday. Tuesday collection is not affected by the adjustment.

Village President Howard Skinner told board members he had no concerns about the change from Thursday to Wednesday.

“I don’t see any issue with that,” said Skinner.

While the board expressed little concern, Village Trustee Tom Connolly said it is imperative to report the change to village residents.

“When it comes to changing days, we got to make sure they are aware of it,” Connolly said.

Groot Industries plans to send informational brochures to all residents by mail.

Minimizing concerns
Citing complaints with the current contractor, officials included another item in the new agreement to addresses accountability. Groot has to follow a specific timeframe when fielding complaints.

If Groot misses a pickup, it has 24 hours to resolve the issue.

Also, if Groot is found negligent on three separate occasions through the first three years, the village reserves the right to opt out.

Library Board reps
Along with Trustee Kevin Fitzgerald, the Village Board approved the addition of Erin Butler as a Twin Lakes representative on the new Community Library Board.


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