4 v. 5 Day/Week Garbage Collection Schedule

[David Anderson]

I can't remember ever having one complaint while living in Lakewood now for 11 years so my questions comes from a good place.

Would Lakewood enjoy any cost savings as a result of implementing a four day a week pick-up schedule rather than the current five? (If the job can be done in four days why does it take us five?)

I think of this question every time we have a holiday and my pick-up day moves from Monday to Tuesday.

Just curious.

[Jim DeVito]

David,

Your question is a good one. Let me just add one more. Are we sure the job can be done in 4 days with the current staff and funding levels. I guess are we sure they do not pull out the overtime when there is a holiday?

[David Anderson]

That’s a good question, Jim.

My question assumed that a four day pick-up schedule was actually costing the city less than a five day schedule. As you point out, given the structure of the CBA, this may not be true.

At any rate, I am not so bold to assume that I am the only one who has thought about this. I am sure that the administration is pursuing every cost cutting measure.

I think New Jersey is considering a four day a week work schedule for non essential state employees as a way of cutting operating expenses, mileage reimbursements, etc.