Change in trash pickup causes stink in Pelzer

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Pelzer Town Council held a short meeting that mostly included discussion of trash pickup and an executive session.
Linda Ford expressed concerns about only one trash can, and no other items, being picked up by the trash service. The issue was addressed in depth later in the meeting.
Town Clerk Cheryl Boudreau reported there were 43 work orders completed in January. Twenty-three of those were miscellaneous/leaks, ten were connects and ten were disconnects. In the police report, there were 52 traffic incidents, 108 contacts, twenty-five calls for service and eight arrests.
Boudreau announced that a community safety meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on March 1. Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride and others are expected to attend.
Changes in the pickup of trash by GFL Environment, the waste management company that provides the service for Pelzer, caused some problems for residents and town hall, last week.
The company only picked up trash in their receptacles, leaving some bags and other items on the curb. The change resulted in a number of calls and comments to town hall.
Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland reported that a representative of GFL Environmental was scheduled to be at the meeting but had something come up and will be at the next meeting. Ragland said he had met with GFL representatives recently to express concerns that came up after the company made changes in what they pick up. Ragland said there was no advance notice to the town about the change, which was to only pick up trash in GFL trash cans and not picking up any extra bags. The changes were also implemented in West Pelzer, which uses the same service. Ragland said he has talked with West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders about the situation and that GFL reversed the decision to allow for a grace period.
According to Ragland, GFL agreed to pick up their trash in their cans and will pick up an additional three bags during the grace period through April 1. After that they will only pick up their can and one additional bag. An additional GFL trash can will be available for $5 a month, he said.
Ragland said that Pelzer has a low GFL rate, paying about half of what other customers are charged, which is $15 for the first can and $9 for a second can. Pelzer is being charged $8.50 per can, which is what the residents are paying.
“Their trucks are equipped to empty their cans,” Ragland said. “They are trying to reduce the number of employees needed for pickup.
Ragland said the same deal will be offered to West Pelzer.
Twenty-two people in Pelzer currently have a second trash can, he said.
Councilwoman Alicia Tuttle announced there will be a Valentine’s Sock Hop and Blood Drive at the gym on Feb. 19. The Sock Hop will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm and will include kids activities and a food vendor. Admission is free.
The DAR will hold a Wreaths Across America event in Pelzer from 10 am to 4 pm on Feb. 18. A special ceremony honoring Veterans will be held at 11 am. Everyone is welcome, Tuttle said.
Mayor Ragland said he plans to hold a community meeting to hear input on recreation in Pelzer. “We have lots of assets that are not being used,” he said. “We want people to attend and hear as much input as possible.” Ragland asked residents to help the town decide when to hold the meeting.
Council then went into Executive Session to discuss a legal matter.