Progressive begins trash pickup here

Progressive Waste Solutions began picking up Morgan City residents’ garbage Monday, and Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi says he plans to have the proposal for a long-term garbage contract by the July 28 City Council meeting.
Grizzaffi believes garbage service through Progressive will be better than city run collection though “it will take a week or two for them to get their feet under their belt,” he said.
At the June 23 Morgan City Council meeting, the council approved a six-month contract with Progressive to collect residents’ garbage. At the meeting, Grizzaffi said the city should use Progressive to pick up residents’ garbage because the city couldn’t provide reliable service due to issues with city garbage trucks.
The six-month contract runs through Dec. 31, 2015, but either the city or Progressive can provide 30 days written notice to end the contract prematurely, the mayor said.
“I’m going to continue to evaluate our options and put the city in the best position possible,” Grizzaffi said.
On July 10, the Banner-Tribune reported that the St. Mary Parish Council awarded a five-year contract to Pelican Waste & Debris LLC of Houma to collect garbage in unincorporated areas of the parish beginning Nov. 1.
Progressive Waste Solutions had previously been collecting garbage in the parish’s unincorporated areas.
Three of Morgan City’s former garbage truck drivers are now working for Progressive in addition to drivers Progressive had already, the mayor said.
Garbage collection in Morgan City will follow the same Monday-Thursday and Tuesday-Friday pickup schedule already in place, he said.
To start out, city officials will help field complaints through City Hall from residents concerning garbage, but eventually, Progressive will handle all calls, Grizzaffi said.
To contact Progressive with complaints or comments, residents can call 1-800-693-4866, he said.
The contract with Progressive requires residents to continue using the cans they used for city-run garbage pickup, the mayor said.

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