Early garbage bills are unwelcome gifts

While Windsor children are eagerly awaiting Santa Claus this
holiday season, some unprepared parents are getting gifts that are
considerably worse than a lump of coal and many residents think it
stinks.
Windsor residents who pay their annual garbage bills in advance
are already receiving their bills for 2008 service, the first under
the Town’s new 10 year contract.
Families who use a 68-gallon container paid $13.92 in 2007 and
that fee will rise to $22.50 starting in January. The new contract
is designed to promote recycling and the rate of a 20- gallon
container has actually dropped from $10.47 per month to $7. The mid
size 32-gallon container will increase by a relatively small margin
of $1.25, from $11 to $12.25.
Large users who have a 95-gallon container will see their rates
more than double from $17.88 to $37.50.
Despite several public meetings and an outreach effort by the
company itself, some residents are unprepared for the new price
structure, and assistant Town Manager Christa Johnson said she has
fielded several phone calls from residents who have questioned how
their rates can jump so high when compared to last year’s bill.
The answer is that the new contract has to account for 10 years
of change in price structures. When the Town first began
competitive bidding 10 years ago, Windsor’s rates plummeted to some
of the lowest in the county, but costs have steadily increased
since the first contract was signed in 1997. Windsor customers were
insulated against those increases thanks to their long term
contract, but must now rapidly catch up to the market rate for
garbage service.
Johnson said that even with the new prices, Windsor’s rates are
still competitive with the remainder of Sonoma County and the Town
accepted the lowest bid for services. “Windsor is in the middle of
the pack for the county,” she said.
Customers who have previously taken a larger can to accommodate
occasional spikes in usage such as parties or out of town guests,
should be able to downsize immediately and Johnson said when
residents do find themselves with extra garbage one week they could
self haul, compact their trash more or store some garbage until
next week’s pickup.
Customers can also take advantage of recycling opportunities to
help work towards taking a smaller size garbage can. Under the
terms of the contract Windsor residents can take two recycling
containers and two yard waste containers. Johnson said that by
maximizing recycling and utilizing yard waste containers, most
customers who take the largest cans will be able to take a step
down.
“We believe the vast majority can get to at least a 68 gallon
can,” she said.
Windsor residents can also recycle some types of food waste
using their yard waste containers. Vegetable waste can be placed in
the yard waste containers provided it has not been contaminated
with animal products or oils. Johnson said fruit skins, unused
pasta or rice (without sauce), or trimmings from vegetables can all
be kept out of traditional garbage cans.
Anyone interested in learning more about recycling options can
visit www.unicycler.com or
www.recyclenow.org for more
information.