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Algonquin includes apartment complexes in new garbage contract

Algonquin is planning to require residents of apartment complexes to use Waste Management for refuse services, including free recycling, which village officials believe will come at a savings for residents.

Currently, only townhouses and single-family homes are included in the village's contract with Waste Management, while apartment complexes can contract with companies of their choice.

At the village board's committee of the whole meeting Tuesday night, trustees unanimously voted to include apartment complexes in a three-year contract extension, village management assistant Mike Kumbera said.

The proposed contract requires apartment complex residents to pay a $12.75 monthly garbage fee for each unit beginning Jan. 1, or whenever their current contracts expire, Kumbera said. “We don't want them to incur penalty fees,” he said.

There are about 10 apartment complexes in Algonquin, and about 10,000 households overall, Kumbera said.

The contract also calls for an increase in the cost of garbage stickers for houses and townhouses, Kumbera said. Stickers, currently $1.95 each, would go up to $2.20 on Sept. 1, with further increases to $2.40 on Sept. 1, 2012, and $2.55 on Sept. 1, 2013, he said. Residents can use their current stickers until they run out, Kumbera said.

Recycling services will continue to be free for all residents. Free spring cleanup in April, as well as free fall and spring yard waste cleanup, also will continue.

In addition, the village plans to offer a new, free yearly recycling event, probably in the fall, and free bags to recycle compact fluorescent light bulbs at village hall, Kumbera said. Under the new contract, Waste Management also would provide a free solar recycling compactor to the village, and free portable restrooms for village events such as the summer concert series and Art on the Fox, he said.

The current contract expires Aug. 31, and the village is expected to approve the new contract at the July 5 board meeting.