The Berlin
Cit itiz ize en Volume 13, Number 25
Berlin’s Only Hometown Newspaper
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Will trash collection be interrupted?
Missed it by that much
It depends on who you believe By Olivia L. Lawrence Associate Editor If the automated trash switch gets voted down, will there be a disruption in services? That and other sticky questions are being thoroughly thrashed over by officials. Those opposed to the change say that scenario is an empty threat. The head of the trash company said he has a contract and has to be prepared to begin work July 1. “It’s very likely it would occur,” said Art Simonian, director of public works, of a potential temporary gap in pick-up. Once the current contract expires June 30, Town Manager Denise McNair said there’s a chance the town would not immediately “have anyone ready, willing and able to step in” to provide manual pick-up. Trash-Away currently provides conventional service and it was awarded the contract to provide automated collection. “They are not willing to bid on conventional any longer,” McNair said. Peter Lombardo, president of Trash-Away, said, on June
Referendum All-day referendum, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on automated trash collection, Tuesday, June 23 at one polling place, American Legion Hall
15, his company began delivering the carts for the automated system. He said a few people asked why that was happening before the vote. But Lombardo said he had no choice but to gear-up for the change, otherwise he’s going to look bad if he can’t fulfill his contract come July 1. “We have to perform.” “It’s very frustrating. I’ve been in business since 1971 and I’ve never had anything like this before,” Lombardo said. “I’ve entered into a contract with the town. It’s taken several months to get the equipment. It’s important that’s done early before the start date.” Lombardo said “I ordered carts in various sizes and ordered special trucks” that take several months to build. “I can’t turn back. It’s water over the dam.” Paul Argazzi is one of the
See Trash, page 9
The Ballot Question
Photo by Joseph A. Zebzda
The Branford runner was called out on this play, but still, the Berlin High School baseball team came up short in its bid for the program’s seventh state championship, falling to the Hornets, 4-2. For complete game coverage, and more photos, see page 25 and go to www.berlincitizen.com.
Explanatory text for referendum on June 23 Question on the ballot: “Shall Ordinance No. 5-99, adopted March 30, 1999, as codified in Sections 46-31 through 46-73 of the Berlin Municipal Code, concerning the collection of Solid Waste including Recycling be amended?” Yes vote – A “Yes” vote would mean that you are in favor of the manual trash collection system, provided it is available to the town. No vote – A “No” vote would mean that you are in favor of the automated trash collection contract, which was approved by the Town Council on Feb. 3, 2009.