Complaints about residential trash-hauler Veolia Environmental Services North America have triggered a warning from Franklin officials.
In the final year of a three-year $2.9 million contract with the city, Veolia has been told to improve service or risk more fines and possibly its chances for a new contract.
The Common Council recently directed the Board of Public Works and the Environmental Commission to keep closer tabs on the firm that collects trash, recyclables, brush and leaves throughout the city.
John Bennett, city engineer and director of the Department of Public Works, said that from March through January, City Hall got 69 complaints about Veolia's service. Forty-two of the complaints were about late or no garbage pick-ups, 17 about brush pick-ups and 10 about recyclable problems.
The city has the right to fine Veolia $50 per residence for a missed collection and has fined the company three times in the last year, Bennett said.
City officials said most of the complaints come from residents in aldermanic District 1, where collection is on Friday.
"It's not just necessarily missed pick-ups in my area," said District 1 Alderman Steve Olson. "If it starts snowing, sometimes they just decide it's too snowy to continue.
"That problem is citywide, it's not just in my district. Inconsistency is the hallmark of Veolia."
Bennett said turnover among Veolia drivers has contributed to the problem.
"It takes a while to get used to a route, so you have misses," he said. "And when those occur on a Friday, chances are they're not going to pick up until Monday.
"So you have the issue of trash blowing around over the weekend."
Bennett said the city will likely begin seeking bids for the new waste contract this summer.
According to city records, Veolia underbid Waste Management, its major regional competitor, by about $893,000 for the last three-year contract.
Jason Sturino, Veolia regional maintenance marketing manager, did not return a reporter's call for comment.
John Neville can be reached at (262) 446-6609.
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