The Other Side of Dissolution - December 2008 Edition

The Other Side of Dissolution       December 2008 Edition

A monthly newsletter written by Johnson City residents opposed to dissolving the Village of Johnson City.   Our goal is to help Johnson City residents make a better-informed choice, when this goes to vote.

Dissolution Study Committee Meetings: Article #8

Planning for Post Dissolution Refuse Collection
Written by Julie Deemie

It had been previously announced that our “consultant” Charles Zettek would be attending the December 15th meeting.  Once again Charlie was a no show.  Instead, Dissolution Committee member, Fred Shaheen presented an overview of data, which has been gathered and compiled for planning post dissolution refuse collection. Both Lou Caforio, Town of Union’s Commissioner of Public Works and Johnson City’s Director of Public Services, Bob Bennett, have met with “the consultant” to discuss post dissolution refuse collection in detail.  A computer generated refuse collection route map has been presented to dissolution study committee members.

 Highlights of this plan are as follows:

1. Combining the current 30 Town of Union refuse workers with Johnson City’s 10.
2. The hire of 3 more refuse workers to bring the total up to 43.
3. Implementing a new collection schedule which would take all available refuse workers, from the 43, to “pick” the Village in one single day, per week.
4. Using the same workforce to “pick” all of Endwell on a separate day, and the remainder of the Town of Union on a third and fourth day leaving one day open for yard waste collection for all of the “New Town”.
5. Initially utilize the existing facilities on Brown Street and Scarborough Drive to house the garbage trucks, with a future goal of housing the vehicles in one combined facility, in a central location.
6. Following the Town of Unions refuse collection policies, including no curbside pick-up of construction materials or multi family refuse.

It was eluded that we, the residents, would not be given financial data.  It was said at the meeting that a committee member “doesn’t think affordability will be presented to the public.”  It also appears that the committee has chosen to present an action plan for day one, rather than include long-range plans and what the costs of implementing these plans will be, ex. new centrally located refuse truck garage.

It was noted that garbage trucks can breakdown during long periods of use; this could seriously interrupt collection schedules.  The landfill closes early in the afternoon, which could additionally contribute to pick-up failure, should mechanical problems occur with such aggressive one-day garbage collection marathons in the village.

Based on the information, which Fred presented at this meeting, the following questions and comments come to mind.  How much will the hiring of three new refuse workers cost, including benefits?  Would an additional truck be added to the fleet to accommodate the 3 new employees, and at what cost?  How much will a new facility cost in order to house all of the garbage trucks in one central location?  How much overtime expense would this plan create?  How will 43 men, maximum, “pick” yard waste in one single day, for all of the properties within Johnson City, Endwell and the remainder of the Town of Union without time issues and vehicular breakdown?  Will the Town of Union provide yard waste pick-up every week to all of the “New Town” residents?

To reiterate what I have previously written, the main differences between Village of Johnson City refuse collection procedures and the Town of Union:

“Our fees are paid quarterly through separate billing, while Town of Union residents pay for this service through their taxes, yearly.  In Johnson City, all residential, multi-family, and commercial properties receive the same service.  Town of Union multiple apartment and commercial properties must contract their own refuse providers.  White goods (appliances) are picked up at the curb on regular pick-up day in Johnson City, while in the Town of Union; this requires a phone call and up to a 3-week wait.  In the Town of Union, the property owners must haul construction materials to a collection site, and there is a restriction of one cubic yard-per month.  Johnson City refuse workers collect this material at the curb, by appointment. During the winter months, when yard waste collections are at a lull, JC Refuse Department employees are utilized in the Street and Parks Departments. Both Town of Union and Johnson City refuse workers are allowed to work shorter shifts, if their route is completed early, and be paid for a full day.  The difference is that by contract, Town of Union refuse workers can pick-up “extra hours” in street or sewer departments at OT rates, after working less than 8 hrs.”

To add to these differences, I learned at this meeting that, Town of Union taxpayers basically pay a sliding scale fee for their refuse collection service.  This fee is based on the assessed value of the home and is part of a line item on the Town of Union property tax bills.  Meaning that homes of a lower value pay less while those with a higher value pay more for refuse collection, rather than the flat rate fee that we pay in JC.  I personally verified this information with Town of Union Comptroller, Gary Leighton. Also, this winter, the Town of Union has stopped collection of live Christmas trees post holiday.  The thought process seems to be that if the residents get the tree home-they can just as easily haul it afterward to a collection site.  Perhaps these officials don’t realize that most live trees are now bound to make the trip home easier.  Also the fresh tree is not dropping most of its needles nor dripping of sap as it does after 2-3 weeks in a warm indoor environment.  I personally would not relish the thought of all of that sap and the pine needles in the trunk of my car, if it would even fit afterward.

This month’s quote is my very own: “If you are waiting for the Johnson City Dissolution Committee to tell us what dissolution will cost, or save, the taxpayers….. I suggest you don’t hold your breath”.

It is important to remember that refuse collection in the village is self supported by the low refuse fees that we pay and it is a deluxe service.  In other words: we get a lot for our money.  It is very conceivable that we could pay more for less service with the Town of Union.

Public Dissolution Committee meetings are now being held only once monthly, typically on the third Monday of each month. We need more residents to become more proactive and interested in attending these meetings. This is a public forum and I would encourage all interested taxpayers, regardless of your residency location, to attend.  Because Martin Luther King Day is the third Monday in January, the next meeting is planned for January 26th at 7pm in the Village of Johnson City Justice Bldg, 2nd floor.  Please join us.