Residents frustrated by trash pickup changes

BONNERS FERRY — Many city residents were surprised last week to hear they would have to move their trash cans for pick-up — down the block or even further — due to road maintenance.

Jefferson Street residents shared their frustration at the Feb. 7 council meeting, saying Fredrickson’s Garbage was not picking up garbage due to road conditions, forcing them to have to move their trash cans more than a block for service. Residents said they learned of the move when they received a note on their garbage cans from the company that they would no longer have garbage picked up outside their homes and their cans would need to move down the street for pickup.

Fredrickson’s Garbage is contracted with the city of Bonners Ferry for garbage pickup.

One resident, Hailey Morgan, said the pick up location was approximately a block and a half from her home.

“We are paying for garbage we haven’t used in a month,” she said.

Residents said they contacted Fredrickson’s but did not receive any resolution. They then contacted the city for a refund and said they would take their garbage to the dump instead. Many voiced concern for disabled and elderly neighbors unable to bring their trash cans to the new location.

Councilmembers said they would look into street maintenance on Jefferson and other roads in town.

City Administrator Lisa Ailport told the Bonners Ferry Herald she has been instructed by Mayor Dick Staples to arrange a sit down meeting with Fredrickson’s once he returns from being out of the area.

“We are hopeful that with a more open communication path with Fredrickson’s it will result in a positive outcome for both the city, its residents and Fredrickson’s,” she said.