Earlier this year, the Mahanoy City Borough Council accepted a bid to use County Waste for the borough's sanitation as of November 1st, 2018.
Since the new program took over two weeks ago, numerous borough residents have complained about the new system.
Many of the complaints pertain to the "garbage can" system that County Waste is making mandatory for the Mahanoy City customers. Those complaints have been about the size of the cans, moving the cans, the weight, and the look of them. Also, the payment system for County Waste is that resident's pay for the coming month. When borough residents didn't pay their bill prior to the November start, County Waste left the garbage on the curb.
Tuesday's borough meeting was standing room only with most of the residents in attendance there to at least hear what the borough had to say.
Borough Council President Thom Maziekas opened the meeting.
"We know we've got a garbage problem, we know how the streets look, but we've got to give it a chance. It's something new for all of us." said Maziekas.
"Give it a little time, a month, two months, something like that. We will be in contact with County Waste, and those with delinquencies, we will go after them. We will cite them for littering and cite them for quality of life. On Friday, 50 or 60 tickets, have been given out already" added Maziekas.
Residents that attended expressed concern about garbage cans and where to keep them. The council responded by telling them to "keep them on the sidewalk". "7 days a week, 365 days a year, keep them on the sidewalk. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't, maybe County Waste will realize the cans do not work in Mahanoy City. We just have to give it a chance." responded Maziekas.
The question was also asked if County Waste is aware of the complaints, Maziekas responded "We have let them know every complaint.".
A concern was also brought about people putting garbage in other people's containers. "If you see that happen, report it the police." said Cpl. Charles Kovalewski.
Finally, Maziekas again said, "Give it some time, we are only two weeks into this. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. In the end, it will work out.".
More information from Tuesday's meeting will be posted later.