Saratoga News
News
'Hard to serve' garbage rates focus of next council meeting
By Michele Tjin
It's nothing but garbage, but the Saratoga City Council still wants to talk about it.
The council is asking that residents show up to its Oct. 3 meeting to discuss hard-to-serve garbage rates. Council members will consider whether the hard-to-serve rate should stay or if all residents should pay one standard rate.
The hard-to-serve rates were established 30 years ago when Green Valley Disposal, the garbage collector contracted to pick up trash in Saratoga, found that it was more difficult for trucks to serve residents who live on the hillsides. When West Valley Collection and Recycling took over the trash pickup, the new company found that many of those hillside customers could be serviced with its larger equipment.
However, Councilman Chuck Page said there have been other neighborhoods in the valley with narrow streets, tree canopies or overhead wires that have made it difficult for the new company's trucks to service. As a result, those residents have been surprised to by the assessment of a higher rate, Page said, as they were not previously categorized as hard to serve.
Additionally, there are 200 residents in Saratoga who were in the hard-to-serve category before but are no longer in that classification, Page said.
The city council meets at 7 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the Saratoga City Hall, 13777 Fruitvale Ave.
