By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter      

                City Officials in Williston are receiving numerous complaints from residents about Waste Pro’s failure to collect their garbage.

 City Manager Jackie Gorman is preparing to solicit bids Friday from other haulers.

            At the most recent city council meeting, Councilman Elihu Ross urged the board to do something about the garbage pickup problem

            “The garbage situation, it’s an ongoing dilemma. It didn’t just start. It’s not going to get over in a hurry,” said Ross, senior member of the council. “But we do need to do something for the people of this city because they’re looking at us. I think we need to move on it as quickly as we can even if we step on toes.”

            “I agree it’s got to be a priority,” responded Council President Justin Head.

            Gorman said she made the decision to send out bids due to Waste Pro’s performance.

            “We have a lot of unhappy residents,” she said Wednesday. “We’ve had a lot of complaints coming through. We’re going out to bid and we’re going to get a lot better service for our citizens.”

            Gorman was asked if she was aware that Waste Pro has indicated that COVID-19 is at the root of its problems with failed garbage pickups. The company says some drivers are out sick. Some drivers are out due to contact with a family member or someone they know who is positive.

            “A lot of people are using that but that’s when you make sure you have good backup,” Gorman said. “That’s your main business. You have drivers and you have trucks. That shouldn’t be an issue. You really should plan for a crisis. I have observed enough to know we should go out to bid.”

            Gorman said the city was operating on a month to month basis with Waste Pro when she was hired as city manager. Contract negotiations were underway. She had an opportunity to observe the company and evaluate some of the issues.  

             She said the company held onto the proposed contract for quite a while, especially in December. Every time Waste Pro would update the contract things were left out. Complaints continued to flow into City Hall.

             She said it was time to go out for bids.

            “We just want to make sure we’re getting the best bang for our buck for the citizens and that we don’t receive the complaints we’ve been getting,” Gorman said.
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City of Williston Regular Meeting January 26, 2021; Posted January 28, 2021