Town losing money on trash collection service

Customers with long driveways can opt for a higher trash fee - wonder what these folks would have to pay?

Beginning in October, Mansfield residents are likely to see their trash collection fees go up by a modest amount.

The town’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee has recommended increasing residential collection fees because the town is losing money – about $373 a year.

Local fees have not kept pace with increases in what the town pays to the trash collection contractor.

Mansfield’s 58 residential customers pay $11.50 a month. The town pays the contractor $11.94 per customer a month. If the fee increases are approved, these customers would pay $12 a month.

An additional eight customers have opted to pay a little more – $15 a month – for collection service at the end of a long driveway (longer than 300 feet); the town pays $15.70 a month for each of these customers.

With a fee increase, these customers would pay $15.75 a month.

Fee increases would take effect Oct. 1, 2009, in time for the next billing cycle.

The subject is expected to be addressed at a future Town Council meeting.

Posted July 19, 2009

Staff Writer Caitlin M. Dineen contributed to this story.