Oakland revisits trash schedule after resident complaints; committee recommended once‑weekly pickup with optional extra cart

The Town Commission on Aug. 12 heard several resident complaints about trash collection frequency and service issues and discussed options including returning to twice‑weekly pickup or retaining once‑weekly service with optional extra carts. Commission discussion recalled a resident committee that reviewed proposals and recommended once‑weekly pickup with an optional additional cart for households that need more capacity. Committee member Ed Kulkowski told the commission the additional cart option was included in the proposals and that the extra cart costs were modest; staff later quoted the additional cart price as $2.25 per month and an extra recycling cart as $1.70 per month. Speakers noted that a twice‑weekly pickup option solicited from bidders carried a significantly higher monthly cost — committee members said that twice‑weekly proposals were approximately double the cost of the selected once‑weekly service (committee members recalled roughly $24 per month for once‑weekly versus about $44 per month for twice‑weekly during the procurement discussion). Residents also raised operational concerns: homeowners in HOA neighborhoods said storing carts in garages during hot months can cause odors and maggot infestations; other residents said automation and route equipment had produced localized service differences. Commissioners asked staff to invite Waste Pro and other contractor representatives to a commission meeting to present cost comparisons and operational tradeoffs and to prepare a fact sheet for residents explaining options such as the extra cart fee and how to order additional service. No change to the town’s contract was adopted at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to schedule a presentation with Waste Pro and other stakeholders to inform a future decision.