Southeast Garbage Carter Vows to Respond to Resident Complaints
A representative of the Town of Southeast’s garbage carter told the town board his company would be responsive to residents’ concerns.
Pat Cartalemi, the office manager for AAA Carting & Rubbish Removal, addressed the town board on Aug. 30.
Town Supervisor Tony Hay said residents have expressed two major concerns about the carting firm – the hours of pick up and the removal of bulk garbage.
Some residents have told town officials AAA has been picking up garbage earlier than the hours indicated in its contract with the town, which are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. According to Hay, some pickups have occurred as early as 6:15 a.m.
Resident John Kean said he was concerned about the hours of garbage pickup in his neighborhood. There have been times when AAA has picked up garbage earlier than 7 a.m. and once in July the company picked up garbage in his area at 1 p.m. Kean also said he was concerned about empty garbage cans being blown by the wind into the middle of streets.
“It says seven o’clock. If you want to change that time, talk to us,” Hay said, referring to AAA, whose contract with the town runs for another two-and-one-quarter years.
Residents have also complained to the town that not all of their bulk garbage has been picked up, Hay said, adding that residents need to follow town rules for what can be placed for a bulk pick up.
“I’ve received numerous phone calls” with complaints about AAA, Hay said.
Another concern came from a resident who called the town three weeks ago because a AAA truck did damage to a cul-de-sac in his neighborhood, but the carting company has not corrected the situation.
Cartalemi said AAA would take action and rectify the situation. For instance, trucks would not come to the town earlier than 7 a.m. “We will make them leave later,” he said.
Cartalemi also said his company would fix the damaged cul-de-sac in the near future and make bulk trash pickups as called for in the contract.
