Trash collection changes mulled by city officials

Memberships at the city's golf course are going up in price.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City residents shouldn't be concerned if their garbage isn't collected as scheduled the week of Good Friday.
Officials are working to limit overtime in the city's refuse department and are considering a plan that would have city trash collectors collecting four days' worth of garbage in three days during holiday weeks.
Business administrator Tammi Gibson said she and members of Union Local 964, which represents the trash collectors, are working together to limit overtime in that department and planned to meet before council's next work session March 21.
At a recent council meeting, Gibson said that the $4,000 budgeted for overtime in that department this year has already been spent.
"And we're only in March," she said.
City trash collectors work four 10-hour days a week and receive 12 paid holidays a year. Gibson explained those employees are entitled to overtime pay because they collect garbage on holidays.
She said any plan the city drafts to deal with the matter must be approved by the city solicitor and the union and must comply with the contract.
Actual working hours
City officials said the garbage collectors are paid for 10 hours of work a day, but much of the time finish their routes after six or eight hours of work.
"They've already shown us that they can get the job done earlier," said Council President Rob Ratkovich, who suggested combining the garbage collection routes in response to Gibson's budget transfer request. "Why should they go home when they can be working? If they combine routes, I think they can get the work done in three days. They're costing the city money, and our job on council is to rectify a lot of that."
Gibson said she wasn't sure the workers care about the city's financial concerns. To that, several residents in attendance at that meeting said the workers better care.
"I agree, they better care," Councilwoman Karen DeCarlo responded. She said the workers would have only themselves to blame if they were to lose their jobs for not working with the city should council decide to hire an outside firm to provide garbage collection.
In the past, consultants have suggested the city consider contracting with an outside garbage collection company to save money.
Raising golf course fees
In other business this week, council adopted a new pricing plan for Sylvan Heights Golf Course, with several increases. Council members said the revisions were made to eliminate a deficit at the golf course.
"We had a $37,000 loss at the golf course last year," explained Council President Rob Ratkovich. "We could easily have another $20,000 or $30,000 loss this year to add to that."
Earlier this year Ratkovich and Councilman Will Quimby agreed the city should consider selling the golf course. They later said they had a change of heart after meeting with several golfers throughout the past month, providing fees were increased to cover the facility's operating expenses.
Other council members said they are against selling the facility.
"I think the golf course is an asset to this city," said Councilwoman Karen DeCarlo. "I think we should do what we can to keep it and to make it work."
Councilwoman Christine Sands was the only member to vote against the new fee schedule. She has said that some of the increases were too high, especially for senior citizens.
Details
Adult, senior citizen and family memberships were increased by $60. Student plans went up $40. Adult memberships are now $510 for city residents and $590 for nonresidents. Family memberships are $640 for residents and $720 for nonresidents. The cost for college students up to age 22 is $200. Memberships for senior citizens, identified as individuals at least 65 years old, or 62 years old and retired, are $410 for residents and $490 for nonresidents. Also, super senior memberships are available for anyone age 80 or older, with 15 years of consecutive membership in good standing, for $80.