EAST LIVERPOOL — A proposal was presented Monday by Service-Safety Director Brian Allen to city council’s combined finance and refuse-recycling-utilities committees regarding an updated trash removal plan which includes the purchase of smaller trucks, uniform trash cans and no additional cost to customers.

The committees heard the proposal during a joint meeting Monday afternoon, during which Allen said the city buried a total of 4,592 tons of municipal solid waste in 2017 at a cost of $195,986.

Currently, the city pays a third party hauler to haul its waste from a compactor in the East End to the landfill, and that hauler charges $195 for each box picked up, with an additional $29.50 per ton fee assessed to bury the trash at the landfill.

According to Allen’s plan, the city would purchase a new smaller collection truck, purchase one roll-off garbage haul truck and begin hauling its own garbage to the landfill, and purchase 96-gallon trash cans for every city resident.

The smaller truck, he said, will cause less damage to city streets and alleyways and, since he does not believe a CDL-licensed driver will be required, will make it easier to substitute a driver when needed.

Allen’s cost estimate provided to the finance committee included $120,186 for the collection truck; $169,952 for the haul truck; $35,000 to retrofit existing trucks for use with the new collection totes; $15,000 for spare tipper and parts; and $250,000 for the trash totes for a total of $590,138.

Allen told the committee that, by “being thrifty” in the refuse and recycling department, it currently has well over $400,000 surplus in its budget, and he expects that department to end the year with $500,000 in the kitty.

He said if city council approves tapping the R&R fund for the amount needed to purchase the totes, the trucks will be financed, and a new employee hired.

Allen said the best news is that this updated plan can be implemented with no additional cost to residents, saying the city will save roughly $90,000 annually by hauling its own trash to the landfill, or $30,000 after labor costs, which he said are “very conservative” estimates, adding the savings will result in enough money to pay the vehicle loans.

The 96-gallon totes actually provide more room for trash than what current legislation allow, according to Allen, who said residents are legally allowed only three, 30-gallon receptacles now under city ordinance, which he said has not been enforced.

“This one will be enforced, I can promise you that,” he told the committee, saying each resident will be required to use one of the blue totes, with provisions allowing for obtaining a second one at additional cost of $55.

He said some leeway will be given initially to a resident who sets out an extra bag but not when it occurs on a regular basis, with the totes to be the only acceptable means of setting out trash.

“It makes a drastic difference in what a neighborhood looks like on trash day with these totes (as opposed to an assortment of cans, bags and boxes),” Allen said.

Those who have expressed concern about the weight of the 96-gallon cans need not worry, according to Allen, who said, “If they’re carrying their trash out now, just push the empty can to the curb and carry the trash to it,” saying they are on wheels.

Allowances will be made during certain special events and circumstances such as Christmas, weddings and birthdays, when additional bags of trash outside the tote will be allowed at no additional cost.

The monthly collection rate will be $22.90 per residence, with a discounted rate of $15.90 being proposed by Allen for those over 65 years old with annual family income not exceeding $12,000.

Residents will be responsible for damage to the totes if by negligence, Allen noted, saying each tote will be hot stamped with the city’s name and logo, with chips embedded on each one, identifying the address to which it belongs.

Allen told the committee that outside commercial haulers are assessed a $400 per year licensing fee, which one company has paid faithfully while another hasn’t, which he said will be changing.

“They will be made to (pay). They should pay for the damage they are causing to our roads,” he said.

Allen told the committee that new regulations for use of the claw truck have also been set down, saying, “We have to start enforcing them. People set stuff out and hope we get sick of seeing it and so we pick it up. People are going to start getting charged. They must call and schedule a pickup time.”

Those found in violation of the regulations could face up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.

Allen said he would like to implement the changes this year, and finance Chairman Fred Rayl encouraged council members to digest the information before a decision is made.

Councilman Brian Kerr, chairman of the refuse-recycling-utilities committee, said it is a “great idea” that will “save our residents, save our roads and save our employees.”

In other matters, the finance committee forwarded to council an ordinance to adjust appropriations requested by Auditor Marilyn Bosco.