Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Unhappy with how garbage trucks are tearing up city streets, Clintonville officials will consider getting back into the garbage pickup business.
City Administrator Chuck Kell and Public Works Manager Toby Kersten have agreed to gather information on how much it would cost the city to haul its own garbage for consideration in next year’s budget planning.
Kersten would like to see one hauler and fewer trucks picking up garbage in the city. Currently, Advanced Disposal, Harter’s Fox Valley Disposal, Graichen Sanitation and Waste Management provide garbage pickup in Clintonville.
“We need to cut down,” Kersten said. “The trucks are bigger and heavier over the years. The 73,000-pound trucks are on the side streets that have soil, cement and little base. They are not built for this.
“The trucks are passing each other and it’s apparent they are destroying the streets. … If we have another year like the last one, it could use my entire budget up just for the repairs.”
Kersten told the city street committee June 7 that the city formerly had one garbage truck.
“In my neighborhood there are three garbage trucks, and I notice damages,” Alderman Jim Supanich said. “We could get a lower rate or we could get back into hauling it ourselves.”
Kell said he was not aware of other communities with multiple haulers.
“It is crazy the way it is now,” he said. “Most cities pick it up themselves or have one hauler.”
Kell said he and Kersten will need to consider costs of staff and equipment, and how it would affect the city’s budget.
Kersten noted that the initial investment to get back into hauling garbage would be substantial, but the savings on the streets could be even greater.