There is no budget for junk collection in Auburn, while Lewiston is changing its collection rules.
Auburn residents should wait at least another week before putting old appliances and piles of junk out by the side of the road for spring cleanup.
That’s because it might not happen this year, according to Public Works Director Bob Belz.
Spring cleanup was one of the city services cut from the 2003-2004 budget last year, and Belz says there is no money set aside for it now. The service cost the city about $68,000 last year.
“And we’re looking tight again this year, and for the foreseeable future,” Belz said. “Even if we can come up with the resources to do it this year, it might be a one-time-only thing.”
Belz said the city is considering ways to cut costs and save the program – such as having city crews collect the piles or not taking certain kinds of items. Belz said he expects a decision this week.
“No matter what we come up with in terms of scrutinizing the program, we’re still looking at $60,000 in costs,” Belz said. “If we can find a way to do it, we will develop some alternatives.”
Lewiston’s limits
In Lewiston, spring cleanup is scheduled to begin on April 12 and continue into May. Residents will be faced with new restrictions there, as well. The city will collect from houses and owner-occupied apartment buildings, but other apartments won’t get collections.
The city is also limiting how much junk it will collect, said Public Works Director Dave Jones. Crews will take six bulky items – such as mattresses, carpet rolls and chairs – and 3 cubic yards of construction debris, trash and brush. Residents can include only one television or computer monitor in their bulky items and one Freon-containing appliance, such as an air conditioner or refrigerator.
The property owner must move anything left over, Jones said.
“Some of the piles people have left are just huge,” Jones said. “We’ve really had to cut down on what we can take.”
In Auburn, Belz said he’s already started seeing the telltale piles of junk appear along city streets, and he’s taken several phone calls from residents asking when it’s scheduled to start. In years past, Auburn hired a contractor to do the collections in late April and early May.
“It’s popular, but pretty expensive,” Belz said. “Longer term, we will be looking at more of these kinds of questions. We’re coming to terms with what kinds of services we provide and whether the city is willing to pay for them.”
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