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DPW: automated trash rollout showing fewer complaints; 21 households use extra‑trash option
Summary
Director of Public Works Ray Pentegas reported the town's fully automated trash collection (began July 1) has reduced complaints; 21 households have signed up for the paid extra‑trash cart ($319/yr) and the town will add a web complaint option as Waste Management’s 800‑number workflow sometimes fails.
The North Smithfield Department of Public Works reported progress on the new fully automated trash program that began July 1, saying complaints have declined and the town is working with Waste Management to streamline how residents lodge service requests.
Ray Pentegas, Director of Public Works, told council the system’s initial rollout required ordering extra containers to cover two‑ and three‑family units and reconciling accounts. He said 21 households have purchased the one‑year extra‑trash cart agreement for $319; the town has roughly 4,500 housing units overall. Pentegas said recycling containers (64, 40, 64 or 96 gallon sizes) cost $45 or $65 depending on size and are a one‑time charge.
Pentegas said the Waste Management 800‑number complaint system often ends when callers hang up mid‑menu so the town has worked out a plan to allow complaints via the town website (expected early November) and to route residents to DPW staff if needed. He advised residents to contact DPW (767‑2200 ext. 348) for assistance; Bonnie May is the trash and recycling coordinator.
Councilmembers asked for ongoing transparency and requested the DPW provide monthly updates in the regular packet so the council can monitor contaminated loads, the number of missed pickups and other metrics. Pentegas reported contaminated recycling loads were low (about five to seven over two months) and described a curbside‑education/tagging approach for contamination (tagging the resident and sending notice explaining why recycling wasn’t picked up).
Direction given: council asked staff to include a monthly trash program report with the usual department reports so elected officials and the public can track program performance.
