Orrock Township (Updated 9/10/16)
In early 2016, Garbage Haulers for Citizen Choice (GHCC) was informed about an effort by Orrock Township Supervisors (Town Board) to begin the process of moving to a government managed trash collection system.
The Town Board used the same old and false claims that others have leaned on to justify taking away a citizen's right to choose their own garbage hauler and determine what the best value is for their family.
These false claims include statements that garbage trucks are damaging roads, air quality, are ugly, noisy, and are a dangerous safety hazard. They are essentially labeling the garbage hauling industry as a public menace.
They also claim that by getting big government involved, there will be big price savings for everyone.
The Town Board also used the "convenience" claim, as if residents are burdened or do not have the common sense to hire and fire their own garbage hauler.
The facts are as follows:
July Open House
On July 19th, the Town Board held an Open House meeting to gather input on government managed trash collection. Supervisor Corrie Silverberg claimed at the July 27th Town Board meeting that he was encouraged by the meeting turnout and the positive comments in support of government managed collection at the Open House. Not surprisingly, there are no known town records that show who exactly showed up to this Open House and what comments were actually made.
July Town Board Meeting
As of the July 27th Town Board meeting, the haulers that currently serve Orrock have been completely cut out of the process. When Supervisor Bryan Adams asked if they should speak with the haulers, the other Supervisors and the Clerk all shouted in unison NO. Supervisor Charles Gotzian and Bob Hasset laughed at how the haulers had been calling them to ask questions. Hasset made statements implying that that haulers were not very bright.
Clerk Brenda Kimberly-Mass asked Supervisors if they have spoken to communities that have rejected government managed trash collection. Supervisor Corrie Silverberg stated NO, and they had no plans on doing so. He said in no uncertain terms that he knew what was best for Orrock and that there was no point in researching other views.
True Source of Road Wear and Tear
The Town Board did identify the source of several road wear and tear problems at their July 27th Town Board meeting. None involved garbage trucks.
At the meeting, the Town Board discussed the shoddy road pavement job done by a contractor they hired at a substantial cost to taxpayers. It was reported that the new pavement started cracking immediately after it was laid. In addition to major cracks, there were lumps, and waviness problems. The company crew dismissed the problems. Now no one at the company is answering the phone.
As reported in the West Sherburne Tribune on July 29, 2016, the town board voted to deny paying Park Construction for work on 2016 road pavement overlay projects on 181st, 165th, 223rd, 239th, 243rd, and 245th streets.
"Problem with the roads is - in 2015, the township crackfilled them, with the understanding they would need up to 12 months for the crack filling to cure."
"Resurfacing of the streets has caused the uncured crack fill to expand, creating "rumble strips" throughout the resurfaced areas."
"Park has been asked to come back and roll the affected areas, but has not do so, nor hae they answered the telephone for the past two weeks."
On 255th street, road pothole problems are due to logging trucks using a substandard paved road. The town engineer suggested that they add 2-3" of pavement to increase the road to a 10 ton standard.
Supervisor Bob Hasset informed the Town Board that more road problems are due to the DNR driving heavy vehicles on town roads going to and from their lands.
August Township Annual Meeting - Part II
On August 31st, the township held its second annual meeting to finalize the tax levy and discuss other issues. Government managed trash collection was on the agenda. GHCC mailed residents in the township, encouraging them to attend the annual meeting and share their thoughts about government managed trash collection.
Over 50 people were in attendance at the meeting. Every chair was filled. Standing room only. Several indicated that it was a record turnout.
GHCC was in attendance at the meeting and informed electors that they had the authority to vote on this issue in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 365.10, subdivision 15. This law states, "The electors may let the town board find a way to collect and get rid of household waste and other refuse." The word "may" means that the electors have the authority to decide this issue, rather than it being dictated by the town board of supervisors.
Almost immediately, an elector made a motion to stop all discussion and action on government managed collection and to also prohibit the town board from spending any public funds pursuing the issue. About 15 people seconded the motion. Discussion on the motion centered around whether the language should be more stern and include a referendum requirement. The original motion passed approximately 49-1.
Next a new motion was made to require a citizen referendum if anyone wished to change the towns current free market collection system. That passed unanimously.
An elector complained about not having meeting minutes from the March annual meeting. The clerk stated that the draft meeting minutes were not public. GHCC informed electors that this was a decision they could vote on. A motion was immediately made to classify draft annual meeting minutes as public information within a short time after any annual meeting. Also the motion required the draft minutes to be posted on the town's website. The motion passed unanimously.
Another elector wanted meeting agendas to be placed on the town's website in a more timely fashion, several days prior to any meeting. This led to a motion requiring this which also passed unanimously.
Electors at the town's annual meeting made it clear to the three supervisors who were present that they were not going to stand for any further efforts to eliminate their right to choose their own hauler.
Updated 9/10/16
In early 2016, Garbage Haulers for Citizen Choice (GHCC) was informed about an effort by Orrock Township Supervisors (Town Board) to begin the process of moving to a government managed trash collection system.
The Town Board used the same old and false claims that others have leaned on to justify taking away a citizen's right to choose their own garbage hauler and determine what the best value is for their family.
These false claims include statements that garbage trucks are damaging roads, air quality, are ugly, noisy, and are a dangerous safety hazard. They are essentially labeling the garbage hauling industry as a public menace.
They also claim that by getting big government involved, there will be big price savings for everyone.
The Town Board also used the "convenience" claim, as if residents are burdened or do not have the common sense to hire and fire their own garbage hauler.
The facts are as follows:
- Haulers have been shut out of the input process.
- Government Managed Trash Collection does not save roads.
- Maps made by the Township show that over 95% of the town’s roads are in Good or Excellent condition. No roads are in poor condition.
- The Town Board cannot put a $ number on any savings.
July Open House
On July 19th, the Town Board held an Open House meeting to gather input on government managed trash collection. Supervisor Corrie Silverberg claimed at the July 27th Town Board meeting that he was encouraged by the meeting turnout and the positive comments in support of government managed collection at the Open House. Not surprisingly, there are no known town records that show who exactly showed up to this Open House and what comments were actually made.
July Town Board Meeting
As of the July 27th Town Board meeting, the haulers that currently serve Orrock have been completely cut out of the process. When Supervisor Bryan Adams asked if they should speak with the haulers, the other Supervisors and the Clerk all shouted in unison NO. Supervisor Charles Gotzian and Bob Hasset laughed at how the haulers had been calling them to ask questions. Hasset made statements implying that that haulers were not very bright.
Clerk Brenda Kimberly-Mass asked Supervisors if they have spoken to communities that have rejected government managed trash collection. Supervisor Corrie Silverberg stated NO, and they had no plans on doing so. He said in no uncertain terms that he knew what was best for Orrock and that there was no point in researching other views.
True Source of Road Wear and Tear
The Town Board did identify the source of several road wear and tear problems at their July 27th Town Board meeting. None involved garbage trucks.
At the meeting, the Town Board discussed the shoddy road pavement job done by a contractor they hired at a substantial cost to taxpayers. It was reported that the new pavement started cracking immediately after it was laid. In addition to major cracks, there were lumps, and waviness problems. The company crew dismissed the problems. Now no one at the company is answering the phone.
As reported in the West Sherburne Tribune on July 29, 2016, the town board voted to deny paying Park Construction for work on 2016 road pavement overlay projects on 181st, 165th, 223rd, 239th, 243rd, and 245th streets.
"Problem with the roads is - in 2015, the township crackfilled them, with the understanding they would need up to 12 months for the crack filling to cure."
"Resurfacing of the streets has caused the uncured crack fill to expand, creating "rumble strips" throughout the resurfaced areas."
"Park has been asked to come back and roll the affected areas, but has not do so, nor hae they answered the telephone for the past two weeks."
On 255th street, road pothole problems are due to logging trucks using a substandard paved road. The town engineer suggested that they add 2-3" of pavement to increase the road to a 10 ton standard.
Supervisor Bob Hasset informed the Town Board that more road problems are due to the DNR driving heavy vehicles on town roads going to and from their lands.
August Township Annual Meeting - Part II
On August 31st, the township held its second annual meeting to finalize the tax levy and discuss other issues. Government managed trash collection was on the agenda. GHCC mailed residents in the township, encouraging them to attend the annual meeting and share their thoughts about government managed trash collection.
Over 50 people were in attendance at the meeting. Every chair was filled. Standing room only. Several indicated that it was a record turnout.
GHCC was in attendance at the meeting and informed electors that they had the authority to vote on this issue in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 365.10, subdivision 15. This law states, "The electors may let the town board find a way to collect and get rid of household waste and other refuse." The word "may" means that the electors have the authority to decide this issue, rather than it being dictated by the town board of supervisors.
Almost immediately, an elector made a motion to stop all discussion and action on government managed collection and to also prohibit the town board from spending any public funds pursuing the issue. About 15 people seconded the motion. Discussion on the motion centered around whether the language should be more stern and include a referendum requirement. The original motion passed approximately 49-1.
Next a new motion was made to require a citizen referendum if anyone wished to change the towns current free market collection system. That passed unanimously.
An elector complained about not having meeting minutes from the March annual meeting. The clerk stated that the draft meeting minutes were not public. GHCC informed electors that this was a decision they could vote on. A motion was immediately made to classify draft annual meeting minutes as public information within a short time after any annual meeting. Also the motion required the draft minutes to be posted on the town's website. The motion passed unanimously.
Another elector wanted meeting agendas to be placed on the town's website in a more timely fashion, several days prior to any meeting. This led to a motion requiring this which also passed unanimously.
Electors at the town's annual meeting made it clear to the three supervisors who were present that they were not going to stand for any further efforts to eliminate their right to choose their own hauler.
Updated 9/10/16