By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
It appears the City of New Richland has met the legal requirements to implement its citywide garbage collection plan.
Whether or not it should be done, and how it should be carried out, are what remain in question.
Some local residents feel so strongly about the issue and how it has been handled that they’ve started a petition at the suggestion of a city council member at its most recent meeting. They plan to gather as many signatures as possible and take the petition to the Jan. 28 council meeting.
The group has taken out an advertisement in the Jan. 10 edition of the Star Eagle to let people know.
The ad states: “A large number of residents have expressed their concern and opposition over and over with the NR City Council’s decision to go ahead with an agreement with Waste Management and Thompson Sanitation for mandatory garbage service to all residential homes in New Richland. There are many one and two member households who have a cheaper means of garbage disposal and recycling or may have access to a dumpster through their business.
"The agreement will not go into effect until March 1, 2019. The question was asked if the council members thought the new city council would revisit this agreement. A recommendation from a city council member that a petition be brought to a city council meeting in 2019 may help in making that decision. A petition has been started and if anyone wants to sign it, contact Randy Fox at (507)-461-0631."
The petition will have three options: No, you don’t want the service; you don’t care one way or the other; or yes, you do want it.
Some facts:
• The issue has been visited three times in the past six years with opposition and no action was taken the first two times.
• A six-year agreement has been signed, when a three-year contract was an option. There will be a price increase every year.
• There is no “opt out” option.
• Approximately $19.50 will be added to all residential water/sewer bills whether they use the service or not (with yearly increases).
According to the ad, “Too many people are not given a choice in this service and being locked into a 6 year agreement with annual increases. This decision will be a hardship for low income or retired persons on a fixed income.”
Anyone wishing to sign the petition is encouraged to contact Fox.
The next meeting of the New Richland City Council is Monday, Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The Jan. 28 meeting is also at 6:30.