Council Contemplates Condo Trash Pickup

Town Council members debated the idea of providing trash collection to private condominium complexes during its meeting Monday night, finally asking Public Works Director Joe Duarte to get more information both on the cost and feasibility.

“If Pine Glen has the coverage, given the taxes that people do pay, I’m interested enough to get more details,” said Council President Michael Isaacs. He was referring to the Pine Glen condominiums, which have had town trash pickup for more than 20 years, as granted by the Town Council at that time.

Today, there are just over 250 condominium units in town.

The current trash hauler has agreed to add those units to the town’s trash pickup for the remaining two years of its contract at no additional cost. There are other costs, however, said Duarte. Those include the cost of supplying all the condos with recycle bins and whatever the additional tonnage would be. He estimated those two things could come to between $10,000 and $15,000.

But, as town lawyer Peter Clarkin pointed out, there’s nothing to say that whoever gets the trash hauling contract in two years would not charge the town for the extra stops.

“This current trash hauler isn’t charging, but there’s no reason the next trash hauler won’t,” he said. “After two years you have to go out and bid again.”

And, Duarte said, each condominium complex is different. Some may require dumpsters, which would likely add to the cost since they need a different sort of truck for pick up. And others may not even want the town service. So, each would need to be approached and logistics worked out before such services could be added.

“This is going to be a lengthy process,” he said. "My experience is we need to meet with the condos. What about releases for town employees and trucks? This isn’t going to happen overnight. … And you may be surprised - all these units may not want us.”

“It’s going to be a lot of work for Joe, his office, his staff – is it really worth it?” said Councilor Jeff Cianciolo.

Officials conceded after the meeting that many of these complexes got the town’s okay for development at least in part because they would not require town services.

Still, they said that it was in part a fairness issue. Duarte is expected to return to the Council with more information this fall.

The Town Council meets again on Aug. 15.