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Exploring Garbage Options for the Town of Martell
The Town’s recent work on protecting our roads from damage caused by heavy hauling has prompted us to take a closer look at the impact of garbage collection on town roads.
Garbage trucks are large, heavy vehicles that, unlike most heavy hauling traffic, travel the same rural roads regularly, year-round, sometimes backtracking over vulnerable roads during a route. Aside from the Town Transfer Station, Martell residents can currently choose between at least four separate garbage haulers, which means potentially four different routes are traveling Martell roads each week. Over time, that repeated heavy use can contribute to road deterioration and increased maintenance costs for the Town.
The Town Board encourages residents to consider using the Town Transfer Station and Recycling Center as a practical alternative to curbside pickup. With disposal fees only $5 for a 32-gallon bag and no charge for recycling, this option remains the most economical choice for households with modest waste. Furthermore, choosing the transfer station over curbside pickup helps minimize the frequency of heavy truck traffic on our rural roads.
The Board is currently investigating the possibility of transitioning to a single-provider garbage collection system for those residents who desire curbside services. This model would involve implementing an Exclusive Franchise Ordinance, allowing the Board to solicit proposals and award an exclusive contract to one hauler for those residents. Potential advantages for the Town include a reduction in heavy vehicle traffic, optimized collection routes, and decreased road wear. For residents, this could offer more reliable service and potentially lower rates through hauler consolidation.
To do this, the Town will need to study how such a system could work including costs, contracts, service areas, and resident interest and participation. In any case, rest assured we will NOT be eliminating the Town Transfer Station and Recycling Center as any part of this process.
No decision has been made. Before moving forward, we need to understand how residents currently use garbage and recycling services and what they would consider important in any future arrangement. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey linked here. Your feedback will help guide the Town as we explore practical options for protecting our roads while maintaining convenient and affordable waste disposal for residents.