City trash pickups to be consolidated
Residential trash pickup in Holton will be going from two days per week to one later this month as a result of Waste Management’s upcoming merger with Deffenbaugh Disposal, the Holton City Commission learned on Monday.
Holton City Manager Bret Bauer told commissioners he had been notified by e-mail in late May about Waste Management’s intent to “improve the efficiency of their routes” following the merger, which was announced late last year. The company recently completed its acquisition of Deffenbaugh Disposal, which offers trash pickup services in Topeka and other cities in the area.
At present, Waste Management trucks pick up residential trash on the east side of Holton on Mondays and on the west side of the city on Thursdays. Starting on Wednesday, June 24, Bauer said, WM will cover residential trash pickup for the entire city on Wednesdays.
Bauer noted that the change of residential trash pickup dates does not affect the city’s current contract with WM, nor will it affect trash pickup costs for the city or its residents. He added that the company would release more information on the pickup date change in the near future.
WM has been sending its trucks to Holton for residential trash pickup since February 2009, when the company purchased the city’s provider at that time, RSP Trash Disposal of Hiawatha, it was reported.
In other business during Monday’s meeting, commissioners:
n Approved minutes from the May 18 meeting and budget appropriations made since that meeting.
n Learned that city staff were still investigating the cause of a water leak at the municipal swimming pool.
n Witnessed Mayor Robert Dieckmann’s signature on a proclamation, requested by the American Legion Auxiliary, declaring Saturday, June 13 as “Poppy Day” in honor of veterans and those currently serving in the military.
n Heard comments from Commissioner Dan Brenner on discussions recently held with members of the Jackson County Commission on the possibility of a bike trail.
n Heard a request from Brenner for concrete curb and gutter improvements on Wisconsin Avenue, particularly near Holton High School, where “the curb is not very good.”
n Heard a request from Commissioner Twila White for the placement of yield signs at the intersection of Fifth Street and Illinois Avenue, where truck traffic in the area has caused some concerns.
n Heard a comment from Commissioner Erich Campbell on the “great job” done by area veterans’ groups during recent Memorial Day activities.
n Heard a comment from Campbell about the recent work of Holton Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts at the Holton Cemetery along the Avenue of Flags, where he said some storm damage had to be cleaned up and flags replaced over Memorial Day weekend.
n Heard a comment from Campbell that the American Legion is looking at raising funds for a Purple Heart monument, possibly to be placed in Linscott Park near an existing memorial there.
n Met in executive session for 25 minutes to discuss personnel matters, with Bauer, Assistant City Manager Kerwin McKee and City Clerk Teresa Riley present. No action resulted from the session.
n Adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:45 p.m. All commissioners were present, including Brenner, Campbell, Dieckmann, White and Tim Morris.
The Holton City Commission regularly meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month at Holton City Hall, 430 Pennsylvania Ave. For more information, or to be placed on the agenda of an upcoming meeting, call City Hall at 364-2721.
