NORTH SMITHFIELD – Members of the North Smithfield Town Council approved a one-year extension to the town’s contract for trash removal services this week, agreeing to a 2.4 percent increase consistent with the national consumer price index.
MTG Disposal, LLC will continue to provide the town’s solid waste, recyclables and yard waste collection following a recommendation on Monday, April 20 by Town Administrator Gary Ezovski.
“It is absolutely the lowest cost option for us,” Ezovski said.
The extension runs from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.
It does not include services for High Rocks condominiums, a topic discussed extensively at meetings over the past year. The complex is not currently serviced by the town’s provider, and High Rocks officials have been looking to become part of the program.
The council voted earlier this year to delay a decision in the matter, pointing to expenses and complications in adding service to the Tupperware Drive condominiums.
“This is our base contract starting point for the town collection as we have it today,” Ezovski said.
The Monday night meeting was second held virtually for the board, a change implemented across the state as officials work to curb the spread of COVID 19. The virtual meetings, held via Zoom, have only aimed thus far to address urgent municipal issues, such as payment of bills.
Town Council President Paul Vadenais said he may start to add more items to the agendas.
“Hopefully we can get back to regular meetings in person,” said Council Vadenais. “We’re getting better at it, though. Either we get back to normal, or we’re all going to have to figure out how to run the Zoom meetings. We’re going to have to start doing stuff.”
The extension to the contract was unanimously approved.