Once-Per-Week Single Stream Recycling Also Adopted
ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 10, 2008 – The Mayor and Council voted to adopt weekly semi-automated refuse collection, reversing a twice-per-week collection decision made in July 2007 by the previous council. The Mayor and Council’s decision also abolished the Refuse and Recycling Commission previously established and directed the city manager to develop a plan to establish a task force to assist with the implementation of the new refuse and recycling program. Neighborhoods that were part of the once-per-week pilot program will return to once-per-week collection beginning January 28, 2008. It is anticipated that Rockville neighborhoods will transition to the new program beginning in October 2008, in three-month phases; with full Citywide implementation over a 12-15 month period. Each phase will allow for education and outreach, refuse and recycling cart delivery, and follow-up.
A semi-automated system will employ mechanical lift arms mounted on trucks to hoist the refuse and recycling carts provided by the City. Knuckleboom trucks also will be used to assist in collecting bulk items that do not fit in refuse carts and tree branches. Carts will be provided in four sizes depending on residents needs for both refuse and recycling.
Recycling services also will be affected. Single stream recycling, already in effect by former pilot households, will be implemented. Single stream will allow residents to use one cart for all recyclable materials as opposed to sorting. “Single stream recycling will make it much easier for residents to prepare their recyclables for collection. Additionally, we anticipate residents will recycle more than they are currently,” said Craig Simoneau, Rockville’s Director of Public Works.
The fee for once-per-week refuse and recycling services is projected to remain $32.70 per month until fiscal year 2011; with an increase of $.05 per month effective fiscal year 2012.
On the question of refuse collection frequency, Mayor Hoffmann and Councilmembers Britton and Gajewski voted in favor of once-per-week service, with Councilmembers Marcuccio and Robbins voting against the motion.
The motion to abolish the Refuse and Recycling Commission was approved with Mayor Hoffmann and Councilmembers Britton and Gajewski voting in favor and Councilmembers Marcuccio and Robbins voting against the motion.
The city manager was directed to come back with a proposal to create a Refuse and Recycling Task Force with a timeframe of 12 months, subject to renewal. The vote for the motion was Mayor Hoffmann, Councilmembers Britton, Marcuccio and Robbins voting in favor of the motion and Councilmember Gajewski voting against the motion.
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