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Village hears Homewood Disposal presentation as trustees weigh updated refuse contract; contractor cites lithium-battery truck fires
Summary
Homewood Disposal told University Park officials it is updating the refuse contract to modernize definitions and safety language (including e-waste and lithium-battery risks). Residents questioned fees and termination terms; trustees did not vote on the ordinance at the meeting.
Village leaders in University Park heard a presentation from Homewood Disposal (doing business as Star Disposal) about proposed updates to the village's residential refuse contract, including clarified service definitions and new safety language aimed at recent hazards.
Frank (S10), the contractor's representative, told the board the existing agreement had not been updated in more than a decade and that the company is proposing revised paperwork to reflect current services and risks, such as electronic-waste handling and lithium batteries. "The biggest challenge in this industry right now is batteries — cell phone batteries," he said. "We've had three truck fires in the last five weeks." He said the proposed paperwork would refresh definitions but leave pricing and the annual 3.5 percent escalator unchanged.
Trustees and residents asked how long the contract runs and what the process would be if the village wanted to end the agreement. Frank said either party could give 180 days' notice, a common clause meant to allow time to bid and transition services if needed. Residents pressed the contractor about an additional $25 return or service-fee that can be charged when a truck must return or when a payment is handled off-schedule; Frank said that fee covers dispatch and operational costs but offered to review customer-service exceptions.
Board members also discussed how billing changed when water billing was moved to a third-party vendor. Frank said garbage billing was once bundled on the water bill, but when the water provider took over billing it created a separate garbage invoice that can drive higher unpaid balances and additional collection costs. He said sending one consolidated bill through the village could lower clerical and mailing costs but that direct contractor billing remains common.
Trustees and residents raised affordability concerns, reported examples of illegal dumping and neighbors placing trash in others' cans, and urged stronger code enforcement. The contractor said he would work with village staff on customer-outreach to increase electronic payments and reduce stolen-check risk.
The board did not take a final vote on the ordinance during this meeting; the item was presented and discussed and may return for action on a future agenda.
