When Mick Steiner and his wife Mary moved to Oxford last summer, he sensed there was a problem in their neighborhood.
It wasn’t the neighbors, they were friendly. The houses were beautiful and well kept. Something just didn’t smell right.
It just so happened the problem was that four days out of the week there were 12 different garbage haulers trekking their way through the lovely Oxford Woods subdivision.
So, Steiner took it upon himself to try and solve this problem.
‘It just doesn’t make any sense to have all this traffic and endangerment of the kids and trash sitting out there all day,? he said.
After reviewing bids submitted by four different trash haulers, Allied Waste (formerly Great Lakes), Waste Away, Washington Disposal and Waste Management, Steiner found that Allied Waste would save them the most money.
‘Many residents are going to be able to cut their trash, recycle and compost service expense more than $120 annually,? Steiner said.
Currently, residents in Oxford Township who don’t live in associations organize and decide on their own waste removal services. Steiner said this is why there were four different companies coming through their subdivision.
Through Allied Waste, Oxford Woods residents will be charged $42 quarterly for trash, recycling and compost. Other suppliers charged close to $70 and even $90 quarterly for basic removal.
Steiner said other benefits through this company are that they don’t charge extra for large items and there are no maximums for the amount of trash that can be put out. And better yet–trash will only be sitting out for one day, not four.
Steiner said having one trash hauler also helps the appearance of the neighborhood.
‘We’ve got to start taking responsibility in protecting people’s investments,? he said.
The reception to Steiner’s proposal has been great and he said he hopes if other people in the community are having this problem that they should take the initiative.
‘This is an area the township could take the initiative to help the local citizens and not cut taxes to do it,? Steiner said.
Joe Ferrari, treasurer for the township, said he knows what Steiner is doing is great because it helps save on subdivision roads and other areas.
‘I feel that if that’s what our residents of Oxford want and they support it, I think it’s a great idea,? he said.
Steiner would also like to thank the township employees for helping him get plat maps of his subdivision and urges the community to keep getting involved.
‘I know that one person can make a difference,? he said.
The new trash hauler went into effect July 1.