Politics & Government

Selectmen Discuss Trash Program Changes

Waste Management acquired American Waste Services LLC over the holiday season.

Foxborough residents and town officials were taken off guard with the news that Waste Management acquired American Waste Services LLC, (AWS) Foxborough's solid waste and recyclable collection contractor, over the holiday season. The change happened quickly, with Waste Management (WM) beginning service on Jan. 2.  

Board members were equally surprised by the news, stating that the board likes knowing of problems and transitions before their phones start ringing.

Finance Director Randy Scollins noted that the change happened fast and WM began doing things differently than AWS.

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"Residents were very use to the schedule and practices of AWS and the change happened quickly," he said.

Waste Management's safety rules are different than those of AWS, Scollins added. WM drivers are required to pick up only on the right (inside) of the street. Trucks are also routed on the most economic route possible, resulting in a three to four hour lapse before the opposite side of a street is picked up.

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DPW Director Roger Hill added that technology changes, including laptop computers in the trucks, assist in knowing the cause of why a resident's trash may have not been picked up. 

"If the trash is not out they (WM) will note that and send them to Roger at the end of the day," it was noted. "[If we] get a call from a resident saying their trash wasn’t picked up, we can tell if their trash didn’t have a tag, not put out on time, etc."

Board chair Larry Harrington spoke on the confusion surrounding the quick change from AWS to WM.

"How come, you buy someone’s business and you don’t notify the community of all these changes?...seems like lots of people were caught by surprise," he said.

The company apologized to the board and town for any inconvenience that was caused because of the transition, adding that their goal is getting 100 percent of customers satisfied.

Board member Mark Sullivan noted that following in the legacy of AWS would be a "hard act to follow."

Waste Management's contract will be up in June and town officials said they would be sending out bids. 

For more information on the recent trash service changes, click here.


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