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Commissioners press for more efficient garbage hauling after repeated full dumpsters
Summary
County and municipal staff reported frequent full dumpsters and inefficiencies in hauling to the regional dump; commissioners discussed earlier start times, hauling two loads per day, keys/access to Plentywood dump and possible training to reduce double-handling and extra costs.
Town and county staff described repeated problems with dumpster capacity and hauling logistics that are increasing costs and creating extra work for crews.
Staff said county crews haul twice a week but frequently arrive to find dumpsters full, forcing them to hold loads or take them further away. Several speakers said the county's rear-load truck often fills a single can and that multiple touches (loading, dumping at the local landfill, reloading and hauling again) are inefficient.
Suggestions included: starting haulers earlier to make two trips per day, improving communication with Plentywood to obtain weekday access keys so crews can dump when the weather or capacity dictates, and training or reassigning crews to ensure adequate hauling frequency. Commissioners asked the road/solid-waste supervisor and crew leads to follow up and bring recommendations for operational changes that reduce cost and double handling.
No formal policy changes were adopted at the meeting; staff were assigned follow-up work to reconcile hauling schedules, clarify cost impacts and explore access agreements with Plentywood.
