EASTHAMPTON — After being found in violation of state law three months ago for not picking up trash from its city clients in a timely fashion, County Waste and Recycling has cleaned up its act, health officials said.
On Monday, the Board of Health voted 2-0 to allow the company to renew its permit for 2017. Board members Norman Roy and Laurel Pelis voted to renew the permit, while the board’s third member, Trisha Rogers, abstained from the vote because she is a client of County Waste.
The board will follow up in six months to review the service provided by the Clifton Park, New York-based company.
From mid to late summer, the board received 17 complaints in person and by email and social media regarding County Waste’s poor customer service and late pickup — sometimes a week behind, causing trash to overflow from bins and rot in the summer heat.
The complaints led the board to hold a Sept. 12 meeting, at which it ruled that neglected trash is a nuisance under state law that could be a threat to public health. The board gave the company three months to make improvements if it wanted its permit renewed for next year.
“I haven’t had a single new complaint since the last meeting,” Health Agent Jackie Duda said. “They’ve really cleaned up their act.”
In September, Duda suggested guidelines the company must meet within three months, including picking up trash within 24 hours of the scheduled time, picking up empty containers within one week of a customer’s call, notifying customers of any delay in trash pickup and improving responses to calls.
A former County Waste client contacted Duda after September’s meeting to weigh in on unsatisfactory service and that the company had not picked up a bin. Duda advised the person to call County Waste and report back about the quality of service.
After calling, the former client said the container was picked up by County Waste immediately.
“We’re committed,” said Steven LaFollette, regional manager at County Waste. “We want to do a good job.”
LaFollette said shortage of staff was an issue in the past. He said the company has worked hard to improve performance and properly train employees.
For Board of Health chairman Norman Roy, Monday was his last meeting.
The Easthampton chiropractor spent nine years volunteering on the board and decided not to apply for another three-year appointment.
In January, the board will vote on a new chair.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.