The Clarence Town Board this week approved a motion to retain a consultant to study the feasibility of forming a Refuse/Garbage District for the Town of Clarence.
The motion was unanimously approved by the Board.
A similar proposal for a District went through the Town Board over 12 years ago, but was subsequently voted down by the public. With the dramatic changes in the economy, hazardous waste management and cost of services, a different outcome is anticipated as this program is revisited.
This motion came forth as a result of changes made by both primary waste disposal companies that service Clarence. This Spring both primary waste disposal companies changed to a tote service which restricted the amount of refuse a resident could place out every week. While the tote service is welcome in the Town of Clarence the inconsistency of pricing and bulk pick up has many asking for the Town to control refuse pick up.
The disposal companies didn’t offer any remarkable cost savings going from unlimited weekly service to a single tote pickup. Many residents are paying as high as $850 a year for a one tote a week service.
Confusion over what service disposal companies are providing, as well as the large cost difference from house to house on the same street from providers has led the Board to start the feasibility process of forming a District.
The Town of Clarence is one of the last Towns in Erie County not to have a formal Refuse/Garbage District.