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Methuen council hears widespread complaints about E.L. Harvey pickups, considers fines and rebid
Summary
Councilors detailed hundreds of missed pickups and contract violations attributed to E.L. Harvey, citing the vendor's failure to issue required ‘oops’ stickers, wrong‑way driving and unmarked trucks; members pressed for enforcement, potential fines and a rebid of the city's sanitation contract.
Councilors on March 3 sharply questioned the city's oversight of its trash and recycling contractor, E.L. Harvey, after multiple councilors and residents described recurring missed pickups, safety problems and unaddressed contract violations.
Councilor Desaglio outlined contract provisions and fines he said the city is not enforcing, telling colleagues the company had 324 reported non‑pickups since Sept. 1, 2024. He read penalties from the contract, including $500 per day for failing to complete a route by 5 p.m.; $25 per occurrence for failing to attach a noncompliance sticker; $100 per occurrence for failing to immediately pick up waste spilled during collection; $2,000 per day per missing truck when…
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