Full Transition To Automated Garbage Pickup Will Take Time
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Officials with Waste Management reported the transition to using an automated side loader will take weeks.
WATER VALLEY – The transition to using automated side loaders on Waste Management garbage trucks for garbage pickup in the county got underway with little fanfare late last month. Officials with Waste Management, the company hired to pick up garbage in the county, initially told supervisors that the automation would begin the first week of April, giving the company time to mail notices to customers with information about the changes including instructions for placement of garbage carts.
Instead supervisors noted in multiple meetings during the last week that limited use of the automated side loaders started in late March at some locations in the county without notification to customers. Confusion grew when Waste Management workers placed the carts in different positions from where they are usually placed without explanation, apparently signaling where the carts would need to be positioned in the future for pickup.
District Five Supervisor Gaylon Gray was first to point out the problems during a recessed meeting held at the Coffeeville courthouse on March 27.
“Did they not come in here and say they were going to send flyers out telling people where to put their cans? Well, they haven’t done it. All they have done is come through with a truck and scattered folks’ garbage cans from here to high yonder,” Gray said.
“They sure did,” District 4 Supervisor Eddie Harris and District 3 Supervisor Kenny Harmon agreed in unison.
“Get them on the phone,” Gray continued. “I thought they were going to send flyers out and the transition was going to be orderly.”
During a call that followed with Waste Management Account Representative Kerry Howell, Board President Cayce Washington explained that supervisors were taking heat from garbage customers.
Howell first said the wind from recent storms may have scattered the garbage cans, a theory that was strongly rebuked by supervisors.
Waste Management Operations Manager Ken Wicker attended the “first Monday” meeting at the Water Valley courthouse with a better explanation.
“I had a conversation with some of my drivers, they got a little over exuberant,” Wicker explained.
“Ain’t no doubt about that,” Supervisor Harris quickly quipped as a round of laughter followed.
Wicker agreed there was a communication breakdown and told supervisors that postcards should be mailed out to each garbage customer in the county this week. He also said door hangers are supposed to be ready Wednesday for placement at homes in the county with instructions for cart placement.
The postcards will have detailed instructions including pointing the wheels on the cart toward the house. All trash must be placed inside the cart. Carts will have to be placed within three to five feet of the curb. Carts also have to be at least three feet apart and at least three feet from any objects such as a vehicle or mailbox. Some customers in the county will also receive instructions requiring the cart to be placed on the opposite side of the road from the house.
