Trash collection questions raised at Brockport meeting

Trash collection questions raised at Brockport meeting

Choice remains the hot button topic when it comes to discussing trash pickup in the Village of Brockport.

Trustee David Wagenhauser, at the regular February 6 board meeting, made a motion to host a second public hearing on trash pick up options for village residents and those in attendance were ready to voice opinions.

At a previous public hearing on November 7, Wagenhauser presented information on the feasibility of having refuse collection companies bid on a contract for village trash pick up. The winning bidder would provide the service to either the entire village or one or more of four village districts that would be developed. The plan, if passed, would see the village billing residents for the service. The advantages to the village residents, he said, would be first and foremost financial.

"How can five people make a decision for 5,000?" John Lessord wanted to know. "I don't want my rights taken away and I want to make my own decisions. You people are trying to sell me something without even showing me the bottom line."

Wagenhauser reminded those in attendance that the public hearing wasn't taking place at that time but said now that the Town of Sweden has made the decision to keep its recycling center open, village residents might have the opportunity to opt out of a contract the village may negotiate.

"When we start discussing contracts to determine the price, we have to figure how many bags people will have and until we know how many people will be on board we can't get a price commitment," Mayor Mort Wexler said.

Trustee Mary Jo Nayman asked why, since there was a village election coming in June, a vote couldn't be put on the ballot for trash pick up. "Let the residents vote on it," she said.

Wagenhauser said, "This is what we do, this is what we were elected for, to do the research and make decisions."

Wexler said if the village truly wants a representative government and if they are faced with a controversial issue, such as the trash issue is shaping up to be, then he said it should go to a vote.

Trustee Carrie Maziarz said it was premature to think of putting the issue on a ballot as no figures have been gathered and the second public hearing hadn't taken place.

A public hearing on the issue was scheduled for March 6. Discussion was raised on moving the public hearing to a larger venue but no decisions were made.

In other matters the board:

•Heard from the police department that they had responded to 1,390 calls year to date and that the figure was up from last year.

•Heard from Fire Chief Larry Vaughan that the fire department had responded to 87 fire calls and 152 ambulance calls. "We're on track with last year's figures," he said.

•Wexler reported there would be a public hearing before a communication tower is placed on the grounds of the highway department building. "Because of eminent domain, a tower will be placed," he said. "But what we have right now isn't adequate. There are places in the village where communication between emergency services is almost non existent." No date was set for the public hearing.

•Trustee Maria Castaneda said the kick off meeting for the Village Advisory Committee went well. "All 15 members showed up, we are off to an excellent start and some good ideas were raised," she said. The group's next meeting is March 7.