Lemont approves five-year contract with Waste Management, lowers residential pickup rates

The Village of Lemont on April 14 approved Ordinance O-12-25 to contract with Waste Management of Illinois Inc. for refuse, recycling and landscape-waste services under a five-year agreement with three one-year options.

The contract preserves the village's “take-all” program for refuse and recycling, continues collection of e-waste and at‑door special-waste pickups, and will be billed directly by Waste Management, officials said. Village staff told the board the agreement includes a reduction in residential rates that should appear on the May 1 billing cycle if the ordinance is enacted.

Ralph, a village staff member who presented the agreement during the clerk's report, said the company offered to negotiate a successor contract and that the services will remain the same while residents will see a rate reduction. "We are gonna have a cost reduction for our residents, including a take-all program for refuse, recycling, including the e-waste, and also landscaping," Ralph said during the meeting.

Trustees approved the ordinance after discussion. The board's clerk introduced the item as O-12-25 and called for a motion; Trustee Snegowski moved to approve and Trustee McClafferty seconded. The motion passed on roll call.

Resident Dan Dolatowski, speaking during audience participation, praised the continuation of the Waste Management contract, calling it a "great contract" and saying he has used the company's services. Village staff also noted the service includes an at‑door special-waste pickup that many residents may not realize is available and said Waste Management has upgraded its customer website; the village will add the information to its own site.

The ordinance was part of business handled during the clerk's report and completed with a roll-call vote by the board.