Denville – First Garbage Rate Increase in 16 years
Mayor Hussa urges Townwide Recycling Challenge to combat garbage rate increase
Denville residents will have the first garbage increase in 16 years. Costs of services are increasing everywhere. Hauling and tipping fees have increased in recent years and the administration has no alternative but to increase the garbage fee. It does not have to be a permanent increase. If a one year contract can be negotiated we can take measures as a town to make it a one year increase. We can also discuss one pick-up per week. This has been discussed in the past and the Council has always listened to what the public wanted (two pick-ups per week), but economics may dictate going to one. Other towns have garbage pick up once a week.
Increasing total recycling can also help defer garbage costs. In 2008 the mayor challenged Denville residents to recycle 15% more per household, which is only 15 pounds a week. That year Denville responded and reduced the total tonnage of garbage and almost doubled our county recycling grant from $38,000 to $59,000. In 2008 the price of the aluminum was at an all-time high and we increased the amount the town gets from $300 to $1,700 per container on the initial redemption.
Unfortunately, in 2009 total recycling dropped off and we currently are experiencing the first garbage rate increase in 16 years due to increased hauling fees and tipping fees. We want to demonstrate and educate the public how our garbage bills can be drastically lowered, by removing recyclable materials from the waste stream. Just 15% will do it. The garbage bill was reduced 4 times from 1989 thru 1994 and has remained the same for 16 years. With increased effort reductions can be part of our future. Please recycle 15% more!
Thank you,
P. Ted Hussa, Denville Mayor