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New rubbish program already gets complaints
(by Sali McSherry - January 21, 2010)
New rubbish program already gets complaints
By SALI McSHERRY
The tentative launch date for Pepper Pike's new rubbish and recycling collection program is Feb. 1, Mayor Bruce H. Akers said at last week's road and safety meeting.
Some people are complaining that the new system requires residents to put rubbish containers and recycling items outside of their garage doors, Mayor Bruce H. Akers said.
No longer will rubbish collectors go inside garages to pick up containers, Service Director Robert Girardi said, but the city still is offering rear-yard pickup. The new plan is safer for the employees, less expensive than the city's current program and better for the environment.
"No one likes change," Mr. Akers said, but current economics dictate better efficiency. Other cities, including Shaker Heights, University Heights and Rocky River, use the system, he said.
The city is eliminating its current mini-packers, which is misleading, because they are large trucks, Mr. Girardi said. They are switching over to four-wheel-drive scooters, which will eliminate large trucks driving in and backing out of driveways, which is dangerous, especially in the winter, he said.
Councilman Scott Newell asked if the scooters are safe in winter conditions.
Mr. Girardi said they are four-wheel-drive vehicles and will be a big improvement over the large trucks, which are light in the rear and have gotten stuck in residents' yards at times. The scooters are easy to maneuver, he said, and can turn around easily in most driveways.
The city is purchasing four scooters, which cost $30,000 each. They use between six and eight gallons of fuel per week each. Mini-packers cost $95,000 each, and each uses 40 gallons of fuel per week, Mr. Girardi said.
Over a seven-year period, he said, the new approach could result in a net savings to the city of $2.5 million.
One transfer packer will park on the street of the homes being collected, while the scooters will go into individual driveways to pick up the rubbish, Mr. Akers said.
"The city expects each scooter to handle between five and seven homes at a time, and then to drive over to the parked transfer packer to dispose of the rubbish collected," Mr. Akers said. "Then it continues to the next set of homes. Two scooters will be used to cover a street."
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