The Fairfield-based company that picks up the city’s garbage for more than $3 million per year came under criticism from a resident and council members for leaving behind trash on city streets while emptying the containers.
“There was a whole bunch of garbage left in front of my house and my neighbor’s house,” said Beverly Harden, who lives in the Totowa neighborhood, while relating an incident that occurred on Jasper Street between Union and Totowa Avenues on the morning of July 1st, 2016. “One of the workers was rushing to get the garbage, going between two cars, when he was rushing the bag ripped on top of my neighbor’s car fender.”
Harden said the garbage ended up on top of her neighbor’s car. Harden cleaned up the garbage left by the workers of Roselle also known as Suburban Disposal from the front of her home while her neighbor had to clean up her car.
“She had to take money out of her own pocket to get the car washed,” said Harden last Tuesday . “I was totally disgusted. I can’t explain what I felt. This is not tolerated. It must stop. Roselle should be held accountable.”
“This has been an ongoing issue,” said Michael Jackson, 1st Ward councilman. He said workers leave behind “enormous” amount of garbage after passing through a block.
Jackson said the company has no respect for city residents.
Luis Velez, 5th Ward councilman, said the company uses old and “corrosive” trucks that stink and drop pieces of garbage on the streets. He also said the firm has been utilizing much newer vehicles in other communities while using poor equipment in the city.
“They’re taking the new trucks to those towns,” alleged Velez. He said he has video footage that shows employees engaging in “inappropriate conduct.”
“I’ve witnessed it in the 2nd Ward. They are tossing the garbage. The residue left, they do not pick up,” said Maritza Davila, councilwoman at-large.
The city renewed its contract with Suburban Disposal in May for $3.1 million. The next renewal will be early 2017.
Davila said the matter has been brought before the public works committee. She requested a list of complaints filed by residents against the company.
A representative for Suburban Disposal could not be reached for comments.
Harden said her neighbor should be reimbursed the money paid to clean up the car after the worker’s alleged actions.
Law director Domenick Stampone said the company should take responsibility for its actions.
Council president William McKoy directed the law director to provide the company’s address and other information so that the resident may file a claim against the garbage collection company.
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