Beacon puts larger trash cans to use

City wants tidier collection sites

By Maeleeke J. Lavan
Poughkeepsie Journal

BEACON -- Large green garbage cans and blue recycling bins have begun appearing in front of many Beacon homes.

The city set out to renew its garbage collection contract at the end of 2001 and found Royal Carting Service could provide the cheapest collection for residents with more capacity.

Residents were given one 95-gallon garbage container and an 18-gallon recycling bin to replace the three 30-gallon garbage cans and any additional container marked with an ''R'' used for recycling.

''We believe this will make the city a lot cleaner,'' said Randy Casale, the city's highway superintendent. ''On garbage day you won't see lids all over the streets.''

At times, Casale said, the wind blew garbage lids around the neighborhood and bags left beside the curb were rummaged through by dogs and other animals, leaving a mess of garbage to clean up.

Before changing the system, the 95-gallon cans were distributed to a handful of residents during a test run of the system last year. That pilot program was deemed successful, and with Royal providing the service a lower cost than the previous contract, the change in garbage service went through relatively easily.

Pining for the old cans

The goal was to provide more efficient, clean and safe garbage service for residents and employees -- who had to lift containers by hand -- but some say they liked the service the way it was.

''It's a nice can if you live in single-family house,'' said resident Barbara Marshall.

''I have a two-family house and have one can. We're already six-weeks behind in garbage because they won't pick (the excess) up,'' she said. One container is not enough, she said.

It's not only the capacity that Marshall isn't happy with; it's also the weight of the container itself.

Marshall said she can roll the cart to the end of her property without too much trouble, but ''it gets heavy.'' She's noticed that senior citizens have had trouble with the large containers.

Casale said the city is working to get smaller containers for residents who may not produce the amount of garbage, or for those who simply can't handle the weight of the container.

''We knew by changing the system there would be some bumps in the road,'' Casale said.

More trash costs extra

As for those who need more space for garbage, residents can purchase stickers from city hall to place on additional containers. Each additional 30-gallon container will cost $3 per week, 65-gallon containers an additional $6 a week and 95-gallon containers an additional $9 a week. Stickers can also be purchased on an annual basis, he said.

Residents who need additional room for recyclables may still use their own containers marked with an ''R.''

The plan is to get the remaining cans out to customers within the next week or so, and then replace 95-gallon containers with smaller 65-gallon containers for those who request them.

Even though there have been concerns from residents, Casale said there are solutions and, ''in the long run the whole city will look better.''

Where to call: Residents who would like to replace new 95-gallon garbage containers with smaller containers can contact the Beacon Highway Department at (845) 831-0932