Hancock Changes Trash System, Will Ask for Public Safety Millage

Hancock residents will no longer need to purchase special bags for their trash.

At last night’s meeting, the city council voted to replace the custom bags with stickers. Stickers will cost a dollar each. City officials say they’ll actually lose money at that rate, but they hope the shortfall will be less than the losses suffered because of defective bags. Waste Management will pick up any bag with the sticker, up to 35 gallons in size. The company will also continue to collect the city’s custom bags, as long as the remaining supply lasts. Marquette recently adopted a similar system.

Hancock residents will be asked to approve an extra property tax levy to support the police department. The .8 mil increase for 15 years will appear on the November ballot. If passed, it would provide an additional $100,000 annually for law enforcement. City Manager Mary Babcock and Police Chief Wayne Butler will make the case for the millage over the next few months.

Hancock council members also approved the purchase of a new sewer pipe inspection camera. The old camera failed after 15 years of service. The new one will cost $11,300, and will provide a higher-definition image.