Marion trash service to be scaled back
Staff writer
Marion residents will have trash picked up once instead of twice a week starting July 20.
Mayor David Mayfield recommended to city council members Monday that trash pickups be changed to save on labor, fuel, and street repair.
Mayfield said only one truck, with a driver and a helper, would operate each day. He estimated the city could save $240 in labor and $40 on fuel daily by not using a second truck.
Although Mayfield did not mention it, two trucks, each with a crew of three, not two, were observed picking up trash earlier in the day.
Under the new plan, the city will be collected in quadrants from Cedar and Main Sts. the northeast quadrant will be picked up Mondays; the southeast quadrant will be picked up on Tuesdays; the southwest quadrant will be picked up on Thursdays; and the northwest quadrant on Friday. Recycling will be picked up on Wednesday.
Mayfield said employees would get done with pickups earlier each day and dedicate their extra time to truck maintenance and helping other departments.
Council members voted unanimously to approve the change.