NEW LENOX — Village officials in New Lenox have changed the way garbage services are offered to senior citizens.
In recent weeks, the village renegotiated a contract with NuWay Disposal to offer garbage and recycling collection services for senior citizens at a lower price.
All residents 65 and older are eligible for a “senior rate” of $6.58 per month, which is about half of what they would have been paying before, Mayor Tim Baldermann said.
“They now have the best rate for garbage services for seniors in any community,” he said.
Baldermann said Dec. 15 is the deadline for senior citizens to join the program this year but the village is willing to accommodate others who are new to the area.
When village officials renewed an agreement for garbage, yard waste and recycling services with NuWay Disposal, the company wanted everyone to use a toter or disposal can.
But senior citizens in the village said they didn’t have much garbage. Many of them would put out a bag with a garbage sticker instead, Baldermann said.
“Most people take the big [toters] but the seniors who didn’t have very much garbage only needed the 35 [gallon toters],” he said.
More than 700 people have signed up for the program thus far, Baldermann said. He said at least 60 to 70 people contacted village officials with concerns about the price of NuWay Disposal’s services.
In September, village officials renewed an agreement with NuWay Disposal that would send a quarterly bill from the company to residents. The bill included cart rental fees.
Under the new agreement, seniors who use a 35-gallon cart will have NuWay Disposal services for $6.58 per month and be billed quarterly for a total of $19.74. Even residents with a larger car can exchange theirs for a smaller one to participate.
Senior citizens would need the village to verify their age and address at Village Hall on 1 Veterans Parkway.
The senior rate would be charged on the next quarterly bill from NuWay Disposal and senior citizens would be credited back the difference from their most recent bill.