Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
December 8, 2009
A news release was sent today announcing new trash routes for some areas of O’Fallon that begins on December 14. The release explains that the current routes had become unwieldy due to new housing developments over the last five years, and the routes had to be rebalanced for better efficiency. Click here to view the trash route map.
It may not seem like a big deal to some, but trash is very personal issue to many residents. When the City approved a single hauler contract with Waste Management seven years, we received many calls from residents who wanted to continue service with their existing trash hauler.
I can understand their concerns, but the single hauler program has been a benefit to the community as a whole:
- There are far fewer trash trucks on the streets each week, which reduces street maintenance costs.
- Unlimited yard waste is included in the contract, allowing the City to eliminate its costly leaf pick-up service.
- The monthly cost for residents is significantly lower than what they could negotiate as a single customer.
The new trash routes provide additional benefits. Back-loading trucks will now be used in the alleys, which could save the City as much as $30,000 a year in alley maintenance costs. Trash, yard waste and optional recycling will now be picked up on the same day in all areas of the City (which currently is not the case).
Not everyone is affected by the change, so please take a look at the map to check your pick-up day. Letters from Waste Management also are being mailed this week informing residents of their trash pick-up day.
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