Wayland will switch to new waste company

By STEPH TAHTINEN

Mt. Pleasant News

WAYLAND ? Garbage day in Wayland will be possibly switching to Friday mornings beginning August 1.

The city council voted Wednesday night to tentatively approve Luke Waste Management, LLC?s bid of a new company for the city?s garbage and recycling services.

The acceptance of the bid is subject to approval of the contract by the city attorney, Mike Vance. He asked that the contract indicate that the quote is good for five years and that the fuel surcharges is indicated.

Luke Waste Management?s bid was at a cost of $5.55 per household, per month. Residents can choose whether to have one or two recycling containers, depending on their needs. The containers will be the same size as the ones currently used.

Trash bags were quoted by Luke Management at a price of $1.30 per bag for 30-gallon bag and 80 cents per bag for a 13-gallon bag. There will be one spring clean up for items accepted at SEMCO landfill, with the city paying the dumping fees. There will be a five percent fuel surcharge if the cost of diesel goes over $4.25.

The city also received a bid from Whaley Waste Systems, which currently holds the contract. Its bid started at $6.35 per household per month, with a three percent increase per year. This means the second year would cost $6.54, the third year $6.74, the fourth year $6.94 and the fifth year $7.14. The cost of bags breaks down to 80 cents per bag for 30-gallon bags and 50 cents per bag for 13-gallon bags. There would be one cleanup per year, with the city paying the landfill fee.

The council also congratulated Barry Leichty, gas superintendent, for 20 years of service to the city.

?I don?t have much to say. It?s gone quick,? said Leichty, after being presented with a certificate and present of collector coins by Mayor Brad Roth.

?I want to say how I appreciate everything Barry does for the town, and I don?t think that anybody, any resident, has any idea what all these guys really do,? said Marsha Chalupa, utility clerk.

Roth extended Chalupa?s praise to all of the city employees.

?It?s a great bunch of employees. We have very little trouble,? said Roth. ?They work well together, and they help each other when they can. It?s a pleasure to be mayor when you have a work staff like that.?