Community Service employee Arnold Kelly helps pick up a pile of tree debris, Thursday as part of an agreement between the city and Waste Management.(Jon Giffin The Vicksburg Post)

[10/4/03]A new contract to be signed by Vicksburg officials means almost all refuse placed at curbside by residents will be picked up and hauled away.

The change just in time for fall repeals most strict garbage and rubbish rules in effect for the past 11 months.

If the deal is approved by the Mayor and Aldermen is closed as expected Monday, Waste Management will will be paid another $2.15 per month per household and there are about 10,000 households in the city.

Hazardous materials including paint, tires and building materials will still be excluded.

“I hope this will put an end to the garbage debate forever,” said Mayor Laurence Leyens, who added the deal with the private company is still the best ever negotiated by a city board.

Under terms of the new contract, the number of bags of leaves and clippings will not be limited, and branches don’t need to be cut, tied or bundled. Waste Management will also take individual items that weigh less than 1,500 pounds.

The cost for the extra service will be paid out of the city’s general fund rather than increased bills to customers.

Leyens said that added to the $12.60 per month cost to households, residents will still be paying less for garbage costs than in previous years when the city subsidized garbage fees to a greater extent.

Before a contract including new 96-gallon containers, the city also employed and equipped its own rubbish collection staff. The department’s employees and some equipment were transferred to other departments and the rest of the equipment was sold.

Officials say that under the new contract, Waste Management will be responsible for picking up all waste along the city’s right-of-way include illegal piles of waste.

City Attorney Nancy Thomas said the city ordinance that requires residents to cut and bundle limbs will be rewritten.