Residents urge City of Lewistown to challenge Republic Services; commissioners consider task force

Several residents told the City of Lewistown commission during public comment that recent changes in curbside pickup practices by a private waste hauler are creating safety and access problems and that the community should coordinate a response.

A speaker who identified himself only as Chris said the hauler has refused individual complaints and that a coordinated municipal approach is necessary. "There's nowhere else to take our garbage for hundreds of miles," he said, warning of conflicts between large garbage trucks and emergency vehicles on narrow streets and saying households face retaliation if they challenge the company individually.

Steve Phillips, who gave his name and a partial address for the record, said he strongly agreed with Chris and described pickup refusals even when residents met the carrier's stated spacing requirements. "We have to stand together," he told the commission. Elvin Torman, 86, described physical difficulty moving his cart and urged the hauler to resume alley pickups: "I can't drag that thing in and out," he said.

Commenters also urged the commission to contact the Montana Public Service Commission; one attendee distributed a contact number and said the PSC can open a claim against Republic Services when multiple complaints are filed.

Commissioners responded that their regulatory hands are limited because the hauler operates as a public utility. Commissioners and staff said they have repeatedly discussed the issue but must identify legal avenues before taking binding action. Options discussed included encouraging alternative local haulers or entrepreneurs, exploring county landfill or collection alternatives, and drafting an ordinance to restrict placement of cans in the public right-of-way — a move several commissioners warned could have unintended effects, including prompting a carrier to withdraw from service.

City Manager Holly Phelps said staff will pursue legal guidance and suggested forming a task force or subcommittee to meet with the city attorney and draft options. Commissioners asked staff to reach out to residents who volunteered evidence and contact information so the city can coordinate a community response and, where appropriate, refer consolidated complaints to the Montana Public Service Commission.

Next steps: Commissioners agreed to assemble interested members for a working group and to consult the city attorney about ordinance options and the scope of municipal authority. The commission also advised residents to document and submit multiple complaints to the PSC to allow state staff to investigate systemic issues.