Garbage collection in Verona scrutinized after less than 2 months of service

Several Verona residents believe the borough’s new garbage collector’s service stinks.

Council inked a five-year contract — three years guaranteed with a two-year option — with County Hauling of Belle Vernon a few months ago.

It took over for Waste Management, whose five-year contract expired June 1.

Pete McKeating, County Hauling vice president of corporate development, was at a council meeting earlier this month to address concerns about missed pickups, trash can lids tossed like Frisbees, shirtless workers, and other related complaints.

Mayor David Ricupero said he fielded multiple calls from residents with such complaints.

McKeating said company supervisors went on routes with drivers and there were only three misses in the first two weeks of service.

He noted any misses the first week of July may have been due to confusion about pickups after holidays, and some customers may have taken out their trash late.

Regular pickup days are Thursday and Friday.

Residents should have received letters and calendars detailing the new trash and recycling pickups.

A schedule is available for review at the borough office.

Several audience members at the council meeting took offense at a trash collector allegedly cursing and working without a shirt or gloves.

McKeating said there is no company dress code, but workers should have on reflective safety attire.

“The driver for Verona is a younger guy, he’s very hard working, but that’s ‘strike No. 1,’” McKeating said. “We have a three-strike policy. He’s been disciplined, written up and it won’t happen again. I trust our guy. He just needed reminded of who he works for and what he does.”

Councilwoman Nancy Carpenter said a resident showed her a photo and video of a collector throwing lids and leaving trash along a road.

McKeating said he would welcome any photos or videos from residents and would deal with any employee not doing their job.

Customers can contact the company through countyhauling.com.

Councilman Raymon Suchevich expects any collection problems to work themselves out over time.

“I think they need a little bit of time to get their streets down pat,” he said.

County Hauling was the lowest bidder out of four companies. Its proposal was about $1.4 million.

Borough Manager Jerry Kenna said the borough would save about $30,000 over the life of the new contract compared to the old one with Waste Management.

County Hauling will not collect TVs and appliances during normal pickup, but is in talks with the borough to have a collection day for such items, Kenna said.

For more information, call the company at 724-929-0333.