During a recent government meeting, officials discussed ongoing issues with waste collection services in Walled Lake, highlighting inconsistencies in pickup days and the challenges residents face. The conversation centered around the city's contract with Priority Waste, which has been struggling to maintain a reliable schedule since taking over services for 72 communities in July.

Council members expressed frustration over the lack of a consistent pickup schedule, noting that trash and recycling are often collected on different days, leading to confusion among residents. The route supervisor from Priority Waste, Sam Carmango, suggested that moving Walled Lake's collection day to Thursday could improve service, as it would allow the company to better manage their routes without overlapping with other communities.

However, officials raised concerns about the implications of changing the collection day, emphasizing that any modifications to the contract would require city council approval. They acknowledged that while the waste collection is generally being completed, delays have led to dissatisfaction among residents, some of whom have expressed their frustrations in harsh terms to city staff.

The discussion also touched on the challenges of managing public expectations, with officials noting that some residents are unaware that waste collection is contracted out and not a direct city service. This misunderstanding has resulted in negative feedback directed at city employees, who are often on the receiving end of complaints.

As the council considers potential adjustments to the waste collection schedule, they aim to balance improving service with managing community expectations, recognizing that some residents may resist changes to long-standing routines. The meeting underscored the complexities of municipal waste management and the importance of clear communication between the city, the waste contractor, and the community.