Town-wide Garbage Pickup Awarded in Carmel
History was made by the Carmel Town Board with little fanfare from its residents.
On Thursday, Nov. 8 the board unanimously approved for the town to enter into contract with two contractors– AAA Carting of Cortland and R&S Waste Service of Harrison and offer town-wide refuse pickup to its residents as of Jan. 1.
As a result, residents will no longer have to individually negotiate a contract with a carter. Instead residents will pay for the service upfront in their January tax bill.
AAA Carting will be handling the residential pick ups and R&S will be handling the condo services.
The cost of refuse pick up has been an issue that Carmel residents have complained about for years. Three years a citizen volunteer committee, led by former Town Councilman Anthony DiCarlo, proposed that the town board consider implementing town-wide carting service.
Last year, the town board approved a price cap carters could charge individual residents. The cap set the rates for garbage pick-up at $29 per month for once a week pick-up and $34.50 per month for twice a week pick-up.
Through the town-wide service the awarded contractors will provide twice a week pick up as well as once a week recycling, two annual bulk pick-ups and holiday tree removal at a savings of approximately $15 per month to the taxpayer.
“I think these rates will be beneficial to the town and its residents,” said Councilman Frank Lombardi.
Supervisor Ken Schmitt concurred. “It is going to save the taxpayers of Carmel over $1 million,” Schmitt said. “This is a new service and it is going to save people money.”
However, because the service is being provided by through the town, taxpayers will be paying the entire refuse bill upfront in January with their tax bill.
“When you see your tax bill you will see an increase,” warned Carmel Councilman John Lupinacci. “You are getting a service you have never gotten before and over the course of a full year each taxpayer will be saving $14-$15 times 12 months.” He reminded residents that they will no longer have to be paying that monthly or bi-monthly sanitation bill.
If residents want to add services with the carter, an a la carte menu has also been approved by the town that AAA and R&S Waste can use to make agreements with the individuals directly.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.