SCHENECTADY — On Monday, the Schenectady City Council took a significant step towards implementing a new garbage disposal program.
While the regular and bulk trash collection will remain unaffected for the foreseeable future, the council has given the green light to the corporation counsel’s office to prepare the necessary paperwork for the transition to a system that allows for two bulk items per month and the use of 45-gallon cans.
However, the specifics of the program, including the financial implications for the city and its residents, are yet to be finalized.
According to Deputy General Services Commissioner Christopher Lunn, it will take a minimum of 30 days to assemble the program. Nevertheless, he anticipates that a fee schedule, which was requested in April, could be ready within a fortnight.
The council was compelled to proceed with the yet-to-be-detailed plans as any modifications would impact the city code. This necessitates public hearings, creating a timeline of just over a month from the drafting of the law change to its approval by the council.
The current bulk-trash-sticker program is under a moratorium that will end on June 14. The council has previously expressed its reluctance to continue with this sticker program.
Mayor Gary McCarthy suggested at the meeting that the corporation counsel’s office could proceed with the basic framework and incorporate minor details, such as the fee schedule, through simple resolutions that do not necessitate public hearings.
As Council President Carl Williams pointed out, the cost will be a significant factor in determining public opinion about the program.
The regular garbage program is expected to transition to a two-tiered system. Although the details are not yet set in stone, it is likely that everyone will receive a standard 45-gallon can. If residents want the city to collect additional garbage, they would attach a label or sticker to their can for a fee.
The procurement of the cans is still under discussion, but the councilors agreed that it would probably need to be a phased program and that the public must be thoroughly informed about the changes to both programs. General Services Commissioner Paul LaFond previously estimated that it would cost the city approximately $3.5 million to purchase cans for every household.
There are also costs associated with equipping all city trucks to pick up cans and labor costs. Currently, general services workers manually collect the bags or cans and load them onto the truck, a process that is quite efficient. Both LaFond and Lunn agreed that the use of cans would increase labor costs.
Despite this, Lunn is confident that the two-tiered system will be the most effective. He acknowledges that all the proposed ideas have their advantages and disadvantages, and that gathering data for pickup and enforcement will be a complex task.
“I am fully in support of the two-tier system,” Lunn told the council. “I believe it’s the fairest approach.”
It is likely that the general garbage program will not undergo changes until 2027, but the Council would prefer to hold a public hearing only once.
Lunn described the entirety of the 161 chapter of the city code, Garbage, Rubbage and Refuse, as a “disaster” in need of significant updates. He expressed his preference for a one-time, comprehensive update.
This sentiment was echoed by councilmember Doreen Ditoro and other councilors in previous meetings. She, along with council members John Mootooveran and Hayden Engert, emphasized the need for simplified language and a streamlined program.
Williams added that they will have a much clearer understanding of the entire program as they move into budget season in the fall.
The public hearing is likely to take place on May 26.
Disagree – Garbage program changes are unnecessary and inconvenient.
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