April 11, 2016 - Council of the Whole

MINUTES
Council of the Whole
April 11, 2016
6:30 PM
6:30 P.M. – CALLED TO ORDER by Mayor Schwab
 
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mike Schwab, Mayor                                       Dale Fox, Council Member
Chuck Hawk, Council Member                                   Paul Mackey, Council Member
Steven Tharp, Jr., Council Member     
 
VILLAGE OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer                             
 
Residents in attendance: Ray Heitger, Craig & Amy Daniels, Jim & Sandy Gerber, Keith & Joyce Stroud, Brad Shoup, Ken & Jean Brediger, and Linda Taylor.
 
David & Tracy Smith of Meta Waste and Chris Miller of Miller Bailey Waste were also present.
 
The meeting was held to discuss a resident’s request for the village to contract with a single waste hauler for the village.  Councilman Fox is a trash hauler and was able to discuss many of the concerns that the residents and haulers shared.
 
Those against the single hauler expressed the following concerns:
  • Taking away the resident’s rights to choose
  • Some residents don’t have front access
  • Some residents don’t pay for trash
  • Elimination of competition-thus running the small business owners out of business
  • Personal relationships and very happy with the hauler they have
 
Those for the single hauler put forth the following case:
  • Save the wear and tear on the streets
  • Cheaper price
  • More accessible recycling-curb side pick-up
  • Trucks running up and down the streets and trash at the curb only one day a week
 
Mayor Schwab stated the village is just exploring a resident’s request at this time.  Councilman Tharp stated it would be irresponsible to not look into it.  Councilman Hawk stated that it is council’s responsibility to do what is best for the 2,000 residents of Brewster.  Councilman Tharp stated council must do what is the most efficient and responsible way to provide services to the residents.  Councilman Hawk thanked the audience for coming and letting council know how they felt.  Most of the audience left at this point.
 
Council also discussed the fact that they would be setting the bid specifications and could better accommodate some of the residents with issues through the specifications.  They also discussed residential and commercial haulers, an opt-out option, and polling the residents.  Councilman Tharp explained how a poll on the internet could be manipulated.  Clerk King suggested putting the poll on the utility bill so that each household would have one vote.
 
Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
 
Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer