Pelican Waste to start garbage pickup Nov. 2

BERWICK — New garbage cans have begun to arrive in Berwick, Patterson and the unincorporated areas of St. Mary Parish in preparation for Pelican Waste & Debris to begin picking up garbage at the beginning of November.
Pelican General Manager Roddie Matherne said company workers began delivering the new cans to St. Mary Parish residents Tuesday and plan to finish before Nov. 1.
At Tuesday’s Berwick Town Council meeting, the council approved reducing the town’s garbage pickup rates for residents and businesses from $19.50 to 15.77 per month effective Nov. 1. On that date, Berwick will switch garbage collection services going from Progressive Waste Solutions to Pelican Waste & Debris.
The new rate will appear on residents’ December garbage collection bill, Berwick Mayor Louis Ratcliff said.
The City of Patterson and unincorporated areas of St. Mary Parish will also switch to Pelican Waste & Debris on Nov. 1. Garbage pickup will actually start Nov. 2, which is a Monday.
In August, Berwick approved entering into a five-year garbage pickup contract with Pelican. The contract includes an option to renew the agreement for three more years and receive new equipment and another two-year option to renew after that. Patterson and St. Mary Parish also approved contracts under the same terms.
Pelican will keep the same garbage pickup schedules Progressive used with the exception that Pelican will pick up all bear-proof cans in the Patterson area on Tuesday and Friday, Matherne said.
Residents should make sure they place their new cans with the front of the cans facing the street, Matherne said. Pelican’s garbage pickup will be fully automated, he said.
Anyone with customer service questions or comments can contact Pelican at 337-907-6686.
Progressive Operations Manager Jay Gunter said Progressive plans to start removing its cans from Berwick, Patterson and unincorporated St. Mary Parish on Nov. 2. Beginning Nov. 2, Gunter encouraged residents to put their old cans out empty by the road for Progressive to remove, he said.
However, Gunter reminded people to continue to fill their Progressive cans with garbage until Nov. 2 and not use the Pelican cans until that time.
Also during Berwick’s council meeting, the council approved a progress payment to Miller Engineers in the amount of $26,164.24 for the company’s work on the town’s project to expand Berwick’s sewer system on La. 182 by Cameron Ironworks and to upgrade the system on Old Spanish Trail.
In other business, the council:
—Approved holding a public hearing at the Nov. 10 council meeting to discuss dividing three residential lots on Old Spanish Trail.
—Approved a proclamation for National Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-Nov. 1.
—Approved a resolution of support for the Oct. 24 election to renew the town’s drainage fee of $25 per acre for 20 years.
—Approved a resolution appointing Ratcliff as a director and Berwick Chief Administrative Officer Newell “Bubba” Slaughter as an alternate director of the Louisiana Municipal Natural Gas Purchasing and Distribution Authority.
—Approved the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire regarding audit engagements of government agencies.

This story was written by Zachary Fitzgerald of The Daily Review staff. Reach him at zfitzgerald@daily-review.com.