Twice-a-week disposal will run from Memorial Day to Labor Day
By:David Koch
MANSFIELD For at least this year, residents can expect to have twice-a-week trash disposal from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The Township Committee passed a last-minute item at its April 10 meeting to allow twice-a-week trash collection this year from May 27 (Memorial Day) to Sept. 2 (Labor Day). The motion passed by a vote of 3-2.
The motion was introduced by Committeeman Ray Stupienski.
Although Mr. Stupienski originally voted against providing twice-a-week trash collection during the summer months, he said last week that the issue continues to divide the township and obscures significant progress made on other issues.
Mr. Stupienski said the township had made advances in its wastewater management plan, improvements on Mansfield Road East and creating a responsible budget for 2002.
"There is too much positive progress being made in Mansfield Township to have one issue obscure the light at the end of our many tunnels," said Mr. Stupienski before the vote.
Mr. Stupienski said providing twice-a-week trash collection during the summer months should cost around $45,000 this year, depending on the number of employees needed for the extra truck.
"I propose that the budgeted funds not used in January, February and March for snow removal be considered for use to fund this service for this period in 2002," said Mr. Stupienski.
Officials said money can be transferred from line items in the budget starting Nov. 1 of this year to offset additional costs.
Mr. Stupienski also said his proposal would allow the township to examine the logistics and costs in providing twice-a-week garbage collection for part of the year.
"Providing this service for this summer will also assist the residents in determining if this service is absolutely necessary, or a convenience that is not worth the additional tax that will come with services in the future," said Mr. Stupienski.
Providing service this year will not cause any increases in taxes, said Mr. Stupienski.
The twice-a-week trash collection issue surfaced last year when the Township Committee agreed to provide an extra day of garbage disposal from May 15 to Sept. 15 at the Dec. 26 meeting last year, after several residents complained of the smell and possible health problems from once-a-week trash collection.
The motion was later rescinded on Jan. 9. Mr. Stupienski introduced the motion to rescind and promised to have a thorough examination of the costs for twice-a-week collection.
During a Township Committee meeting in February, Mr. Stupienski said providing twice-a-week trash collection from May 15 to Sept. 15 would cost taxpayers an additional $55,378.
Although Township Committeeman Art Puglia voted in favor of twice-a-week garbage collection from Memorial Day to Labor Day, he said he would have preferred May 15 to Sept. 15.
Township Committeeman Kelly Shea voted against the proposal last week saying he wasn’t satisfied it would be financially feasible.
Mr. Shea said funds may be needed for snow removal in November and December of this year.
Mr. Shea also urged caution until it is shown there is enough money in the sanitation budget to provide twice-a-week collection and normal services until Nov. 1.
‘If indeed we can prove that we can make it until Nov. 1 in the sanitation budget, then I don’t have a problem with it," said Mr. Shea.