By Tim Troglen
Few topics can raise a stink at public meetings like trash. And there was enough discussed to fill several receptacles at the July 14, Village of Northfield Council meeting.
Vince Crawford, a spokesperson for Waste Management(WM), which is the village refuse hauler said he was making the rounds of local municipalities to find out how service had been during the pandemic and in its waning stages.
Residents and councilors were invited to voice any concerns with service.
One of the concerns voiced was trash left “flying in the wind” after trash days, according to one resident.
He alluded to the fact that not all trash is being picked up. “Trash is going to end up in our sewers,” he warned.
Another resident was not happy the negative attitude she alleged waste employees showed her, as well as other residents.
“I’m not seeing the customer service that should be taking care of our residents, ”she said. “Customer service is the most important thing right now and I am not seeing it.”
Other complaints were stains left on residential streets, driveways blocked by trash cans, WM drivers “going off and yelling” at several residents and early billing.
Crawford listened to the speakers and tried to redirect the discussion to several positive issues WM has taken part in.
Crawford touted the online payment site where residents can pay their bill and download a new mobile app which will notify customers of schedules, delays and other issues dealing with service.
“It’s a nice piece of tech we are trying to deliver with customer service,” he added. Crawford said there were some equipment breakdowns during the pandemic. “Unfortunately breakdowns are a reality,” he said.
However, he added that especially during the pandemic, continued service to residents was important.
“It was important for us to keep all our drivers in their seats to provide service to our community,” Crawford said.
“I think we did a good job with that.”
Crawford told Council his company will continue to try and bring their service to the community and that he would take the complaints back to WM, to hopefully get all, or most resolved.
In other action
- Council added a section to the recreation ordinance dealing with food truck operations.
- Council unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to contract with Wichert Insurance Agencies for various policies.
- Council person Keith Czerr was asked by his fellow members to present a Power Point presentation on a former parking area on Route 8. Czerr has taken to the street as one-man protest to keep the parking area, near the former Route 8 bank, from being turned into another parking area. Czerr has said the Village should keep the area as a small park. Click here to read about Keith Czerr protesting
- Council passed a resolution allowing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Tyler Technologies for finance related software.
