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Last modified: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 6:31 AM CDT
Alley garbage pickup terminated
By Erin C. Hevern • Daily News
Beginning July 1, Wahpeton residents will see a change in their garbage pickup service.
The Wahpeton City Council voted 7-1 Monday in favor of a Public Works and Safety Committee recommendation to discontinue residential garbage service in all alleys. Waste Management, supporting the movement at last week’s Public Works and Safety Committee meeting, said discontinuing the service is mostly a safety issue for them.
Wahpeton officials said the large garbage trucks break down the infrastructure easily and create frequent maintenance for street crews, especially in dirt or gravel alleys.
“It’s still going to be curbside pickup. We’re not changing the contract. [Waste Management] is still picking up the garbage once a week,” said Alderman Lane Wateland. “It’s not that we’re losing service or changing service, it’s just a matter of where you have to put your garbage.”
Before council members voted on the item, discussion centered on residential opposition to the change in pickup. Alderman Meryl Hansey said he had one inquiry from a south side resident who was concerned about how they’d get their receptacle to the curb during the winter months. Hansey suggested they wheel the dumpster to the avenue side street.
“I also told them that Waste Management is really good to work with,” Hansey said. “If you have a problem and can’t get your garbage out, because of a disability or you just can’t do it, let them know, they’ll bend over backward to make sure that garbage gets picked up.”
Alderman Alisa Mitskog, who voted against the change, said she’s had several phone calls of opposition from varying age groups. She questioned if the decision should be made at Monday’s meeting, due to the effective date being nearly two months away.
“I don’t remember any of these issues coming up at the time of the signing of the contract,” Mitskog said, questioning the date of contract expiration. “I would really like to have the public weigh on this and see if there can be some compromise.”
City Attorney Steve Lies indicated Waste Management’s contract with Wahpeton expires in 2012. The city recently granted the company an extension when they approved the new recycling program.
In other business:
• The council approved the reassessment of street lighting fees, which raises the single family rate 50 cents per month and the commercial property rate $3 per month.
• Mayor Jim Sturdevant declared May 6 as "Wings Over Wahpeton Day" in appreciation of the Canadian Snowbirds, Pietsch Air Shows and Harry Stern Airport for organizing a "once-in-a-lifetime" event for the city. The air show begins at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.
• Council members approved a parade request from Wahpeton Police Chief Scott Thorsteinson. A parade will be held in conjunction with Chahinkapa Zoo's Blue Goose Days on Saturday, June 6.
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