Allendale March 30, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Curbside garbage pickup approved for borough by John Koster The Allendale Council has voted unanimously to accept a $1,020,000 proposal from Suburban Disposal – deemed to be the lowest responsible bid on a five-year, curbside garbage collection contract -- that will save the borough a total of $950,000 and may lead to a zero percent municipal tax increase for 2011. “If we go with curbside pickup…it’s a 99 percent given that we’re going to have a zero percent tax increase in Allendale this year,” Mayor Vince Barra said. “The schools are doing a great job and, from what I’ve heard at the high school and at the K-8 school (district), we could be offering Allendale a one percent tax increase, total.” The borough council, at an extended work session, went over all the ramifications of the shift from Allendale’s present rear-yard pickup to curbside pickup before a quick and unanimous vote at the public meeting. A hearing at a previous meeting, augmented by comments from two residents last week, established the consensus that a major shift in public opinion had taken place. Two years ago, most residents who spoke were strongly opposed to curbside pickup. Earlier this month, almost everyone who spoke was in favor of the change. John Dreyer, a resident, offered a last stand in favor of keeping rear-yard pickup, but he candidly admitted that the majority of the people who spoke, if not the majority of residents, disagreed with him. Dreyer softened his opposition when told that shifting to the new service would not lead to firing any of the personnel, whom he said did a good job. “The guys in our sanitary department are awesome – they are totally professional,” Dreyer said. Michelle Westmeyer asked if the council could ensure that bulk litter pickup from her own premises would be improved, and Mayor Barra said that he would send a borough employee to confirm the conditions she described and issue a summons if warranted. Barra said that he would prefer rearyard pickup for reasons of aesthetics and convenience, but that the fiscal situation mandated every responsible saving of municipal tax dollars. “We have cut staff and we have cut other things,” Mayor Barra said. “Everybody has to make some sacrifices.” Councilwoman Elizabeth White said she had tried to negotiate a reduction of the proposed $40 per month for residents who want to contract separately with Suburban Disposal to continue rear-yard pickup at their own added expense. Suburban had not reduced the private contract price, but had confirmed that if 40 residents want the rear-yard service, it would be available by private contract, and that elderly or handicapped residents could maintain rear-yard pickup at no extra charge if they produce a doctor’s statement that they are not capable of hauling their own cans to the front yard near the curb. “I don’t want to think that people who can’t pay the $40 and can’t fit into the waiver won’t be able to get the service,” said Councilman Ari Bernstein. White said the contractor would attempt Outside is now open. Our outdoor furniture shop is now fully stocked to see that everyone who really needed rear-yard service would have it. She added that, based on conversations with residents, the concern that not enough people would want to retain rear-yard pickup to justify the service was non-existent. “I’ve spoken to at least 10 people who are paying the money,” White said. “Anybody who wants it will be able to get it. I don’t think we will have any problem getting 40 people who will be paying for it.” Allendale Superintendent of Public Works Keith Cauwenberghs told the council that residents who do not privately contract for rear-yard pickup or qualify for the waiver will be required to place their containers near the curb any time after 6 p.m. the night before the pickup, and will be required to take in the empty cans before 6 p.m. the day after the pickup. The requirement that at least 40 residents contract for the extra $40 or obtain waivers is to justify what Cauwenberghs called a “pup truck,” which will gather the rear-yard garbage and load it onto a standard-size garbage truck. The council will now be able to adopt the municipal budget, which had to be held back until the council resolved the question of whether the borough would maintain rear-yard pickup or shift to curbside pickup. Mayor Barra said the council had to do what was best for the entire community and vote for curbside pickup. ����������������������������� ������������������������ ����������� 62 Franklin Tpk, Waldwick • 201-389-3961 �������� DRY CLEANING starting at ����� $350 $1 00 Men’s dry cleaning * Shirts *with any Try it, Feel it, Love it. Why pay more? ���������������� ������������ YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER Organic Cleaning with the Most Advanced System from Germany Caring for Your Beautiful Landscape is our Specialty 10% off all 2011 5-piece sets, Up to 50% off last year’s sets OUTDOOR FURNITURE * Offer expires 05/01/2011. 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