Hancock Plans to Bring Garbage and Recycling Services Back Under City Control

Hancock starts talking trash. And recycling. Last night the Hancock city council chose to bring the city’s garbage service back under city control. Hancock needs to complete details for the Department of Public Works’ pick-up services before its contract ends with waste management, by September 1st.

Hancock City Manager Mary Babcock says that the city’s current contract ending Hancock received bids from Waste Management and Patriot Disposal. As well as working with the DPW department to determine what the city’s own cost could look like. WM placed a bid at 437,000 dollars for services, and Patriot came in under at 396,000 dollars. DPW manager John Erickson and Babcock determined that the city could provide similar services to residents for 390,000 dollars annually. Rates will increase, however at a lower cost than returning to an outside party. An additional start-up cost will include purchasing a 248,000 dollars truck. The city will use the plan to use funds from the motor vehicle fund for the purchase.

Councilors expressed issues and grievances with how waste management services have been executed in the city. As well as a desire to see the essential service come back under Hancock’s control due to a level of accountability to residents not guaranteed by service out garb and recycling pick up. Councilor McKenzie also noted that with the state’s planned changes over to sustainable materials management, the city services might come at the right time. Hancock will still need to work out specific details for routes, hiring staff, and other important items to run garbage and recycling services.