6 days ago
City considers picking up commercial trash customers
Aug. 10—WATERTOWN — Some local businesses could soon have their trash picked up by city refuse collection.
The city is considering adding commercial trash collection to its residential refuse service that it has offered for decades. Offices and businesses that accumulate small amounts of trash would be added to the city refuse service.
The city would not provide refuse collection to restaurants, schools, industries, hospitals, stores or other businesses with large amounts of trash.
Brian MacCue, the city's public works superintendent, will make a presentation about city staff's findings about the proposal to the City Council at Monday night's work session.
Councilman Benjamin P. Shoen said Saturday that he's "happy" that staff has been looking at adding commercial refuse pickup.
"It's a no-brainer," he said. "I don't know why we haven't been doing it."
Councilwoman Lisa A. Ruggiero first asked about the feasibility of commercial refuse and recycling during last spring's city budget deliberations. MacCue told council members then that his department would be capable of doing it, Ruggiero said Saturday.
The city's refuse collection is a money maker for the city, she said.
"It would generate revenue for the city," she said. "It's usually in the black. I'm happy to see it. It's something we can offer to small businesses."
She plans to ask some questions Monday night about the proposal, including about pricing and whether recycling will also be part of the expanded service.
According to a memo to the council, a refuse committee — consisting of 10 staff members, including three refuse operators — has been looking at ways it can be done.
MacCue plans to discuss proposed refuse guidelines, new collection routes, updating curbside pickup and the potential use of the city's totes and stickers system and present a collection map.
Public works plans to initiate new more efficient routes in November and increase bonding to purchase two new recycling trucks at a cost of $365,000 each — up from $300,000. The city plans to purchase one refuse truck and the two recycling trucks at a total cost of more than $1 million.
Shoen expressed frustration on Saturday that it has taken a year to put together new collection routes after council members requested them in 2024. He also suggested that the city go to a four-day work week for the refuse operation, adding that it could help maintain staff.
Residents now pay $6.50 a week, or $84.50 per quarter, for 32-gallon refuse totes, $8.50 weekly, or $110.50 per quarter for 64-gallon refuse totes or $10.50 a week or $136.50 every three months for 96 gallons. They also can participate on an "as needed, pay as you go" basis through $5 refuse stickers that are available at several local businesses.
Last year, MacCue suggested ending city trash pickup, citing the cost of purchasing the necessary new trucks. But City Council members decided to keep the service.
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