Peralta councilors approve new solid waste ordinance

PERALTA — After a few months of discussion, the Peralta Town Council approved its solid waste ordinance at a recent meeting.

The council began discussing the possibility of hiring a single trash hauler to minimize damage caused by large trucks to residential streets and attain lower rates for residents.

The ordinance allows for a non-mandatory exclusive contract with a single company, which allows for residents who wish to dump their own trash the option to.

If residents wish to have their trash picked up weekly, they would have to go with the hauler that the town contracts with.

Almost every seat was filled at Peralta Town Hall with concerned residents.

“This is not a contract, this is an ordinance that will allow us to pursue a contract,” Mayor Bryan Olguin reminded the residents.

A public hearing was held first to allow residents to make suggestions about the language of the proposed ordinance.

Residents suggested having whichever hauler is chosen to have smaller trucks that would help cause less damage to the roads.

Some citizens also voiced that they’d like to see a once-a-year minimum hazardous waste pickup to avoid hazardous build-up in neighborhoods.

The council also removed certain language in the drafted ordinance because it was decided that specific language should be included in the contract instead.

After the council approved the ordinance, Town Clerk Kori Taylor reminded the residents in attendance this is only the first step of the process. The next step is holding workshops to assess what the residents want to put in the RFP, or request for proposals.

Workshops will most likely be held in August and September.

Once town officials start receiving proposals, they will be able to see the company’s credentials, such as if the companies are insured or bonded.

Taylor said there is still some planning necessary to set how the rest of this process will be for the town.

Once the ordinance was approved at the council meeting, many residents said they would like to be involved in this process and have a say in who the town chooses.

Mayor Olguin and the councilors assured the residents there would be many more meetings and workshops where the public could be in attendance and voice their opinions.