Garbage contractor addresses residents’ concerns

The township’s garbage contractor has told local officials it will add another trash pickup day and step up its fleet of trucks as ways to improve service after township officials received numerous complaints from residents about trash collection.

Several representatives from Republic Services reassured the board of commissioners at its meeting Wednesday night that it is intent on providing “complete” garbage collection services.

“We just want to meet your needs," said John McGoran, Republic Services' district manager.

Republic, which has 18 months left on its $500,000 garbage/recycling contract with the township, said a new general manager has been named to oversee some of the planned changes.

Mr. McGoran told the commissioners that the hauler plans to add another day for garbage pickup --Wednesday --- to its schedule so that trash and recyclables are collected five days a week. Residents will be notified in advance about any collection date changes, he noted.

Also, he said, the company will be replacing 17 percent of its fleet within the next 45 days. Thirteen trucks have been taken out of service and will be replaced with 12 new trucks, Mr. McGoran said.

Republic also plans to improve its process for distributing recycling bins to residents.

Over the past few months, township officials have fielded many complaints from residents about inconsistent garbage collection.

At one point this summer, some residents flooded the municipal offices with calls during at least one hot and humid day when garbage wasn’t being picked up. Republic Services eventually hauled it all away, officials said. No residents voiced concerns at Wednesday night’s meeting.

Township officials also expressed concerns over Republic’s trucks leaking oil and residents receiving bins in a timely manner.

Commissioners Wednesday night said they hope Republic’s solutions to the problems work out.

George Macino, board president, told Mr. McGoran that the company should anticipate continued growth in the township and asked company officials to provide commissioners an update on the service changes by the winter.

“Hopefully, by that time [Collier Manager Sal Sirabella] is not collecting a binder full of [complaint] emails,” Mr. Macino said.