By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Changes to Davidson’s waste removal service may be in the cards as the town looks for potential cost savings.

Mayor Clayton Schneider said more research is needed before councillors can make an informed decision on the future of Davidson’s garbage collection.

“We’re going to do some information gathering,” he said during Tuesday’s council meeting. “Our focus for this next month’s going to be waste disposal.”

With costs rising and the town’s main garbage truck still sidelined with repair issues, some council members advised taking action sooner rather than later.

“We’re really got to admit that our back is up against the wall,” said Coun. Gerald Kenny. “We have to do something here pretty quick.”

Davidson’s public works staff has lately been using a backup truck to collect the town’s waste, as the main truck is suffering from what has been diagnosed as a transmission issue.

Kenny said he had made some phone calls to look at prices for used vehicles and had concluded that rear-pickup garbage trucks, similar to what Davidson currently uses, have become “a thing of the past.”

He had contacted Loraas Disposal Services, Ltd., who later got in touch with the town office to discuss service options available to the town.

In an email to administrator Gary Edom, sales agent Carey Chomyn provided quotes for waste removal services for Davidson, utilizing the town’s existing landfill.

“I am certainly not here to take away any local jobs or make any waves within Davidson,” wrote Chomyn. “Just thought I would present the pricing that could be had, and let the chips fall where they may with regard to what the town and residents desire.”

Currently, garbage is collected from residences every Thursday, with commercial garbage pickup offered twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays.

Loraas provides the town’s curbside recycling pickup every other Monday, while commercial recycling collection is done every other Tuesday.

According to Chomyn’s email, Loraas could provide garbage and recycling collection on alternating weeks for $11.15 per residence per month. Rates for commercial pickup were also provided.

For the full story, please see the Feb. 22 edition of The Davidson Leader.