Trash-haul rate increases irk residents

BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
Recent rate increases by Advanced Disposal, which took over for Smith’s Disposal last October, drove residents to reach out to Independence Township, City of the Village of Clarkston, The Clarkston News, and social media.
Readers’ comments on the October 2017 story “Advanced Disposal takes over for Smith’s” at Clarkstonnews.com included, “Well, that didn’t take long, rate went up approx $13.00 per quarter. I will be looking for new service very soon!”
“Our quarterly rates just went from $57 to $70.97 for the same service. Fuel fee? Environmental fee?”
“Same here. Exactly. Looking for new service.”
“Yes, my rates went up too…. I am out! Just doesn’t have the same feel now that it went to a big corp. What a shame.”
Trash pickup companies receive licenses to operate in Independence Township and the City of the Village of Clarkston. However, residents could decide to have their municipality contract with one company, said township Supervisor Pat Kittle.
“An option for residents is a citizen committee to recommend a single hauler,” Kittle said. “It could set rules for type and quality of trucks, number of wheels and axels, days for trash pickup, discounts. That’s an option for the township if enough concern is raised.”
City Council has already requested administration research a city-wide trash pickup program, said City Manager Jonathan Smith.
Advanced Disposal did not return calls for comment. One employee emailed to say he was on vacation until this week.
The township list of licensed waste pick-up services for 2017-2018 includes Advanced Disposal, as well as Community Disposal Services of Holly, EMTERRA Environmental of Flint, Odd Job Disposal of Oxford, Republic Services of Pontiac, and Waste Management of Michigan-Detroit North, of Pontiac. Check www.twp.independence.mi.us.

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