[Durham INC] Yard Waste Carts

[Myers Sugg]

Dear Neighbors:
You may have received the letter today from Donald Long, Solid Waste Director regarding changes in the City's Yard Waste program.  One thing in particular caught my attention.  Longtime residents may have, like me, purchased brown yard waste carts back when the City started the brown cart, weekly pickup program, ten plus years ago.  The City is now converting everyone to the rental program, and charging an additional $1.50 per month, per cart even for those who purchased their cart outright.  I personally don't think this is fair.  As I understand it, new customers are required to rent their carts, but for those who started early, you paid, and now you will be required to pay rent for the same plastic bin.  IF rental is the only option, then I think a refund should be in order for those who previously paid.  If I remember correctly, carts were around $50-$60 each, but I'm not certain.  If anyone can remember what the purchase rate was previously, please let me know.
I am of the opinion that composting is best, but for those who have small yards, and large limbs/sticks, it is not always easy to find a place for them.  I appreciate the robust yard waste program the City has.  When it started, collection was every other week, and the fee was rolled into your property tax rate.  The City pulled it out the tax rate and began the fee for service sticker/subscriber program.  Initially it was $50, then $60, and now it will basically be $90 per year.  That's a significant amount in my opinion.  I own 3 carts, and as such, I would pay an additional $54.00 per year to rent something I already purchased.  Does anyone else see the problem here?
Comments would be appreciated.  Hopefully someone at the City will also see this and offer some insight.
Myers Sugg
James St
TLNA
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