SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — The City of Schenectady’s garbage sticker program has successfully reduced the amount of trash collected by nine percent, according to the city’s Office of General Services Commissioner. However, city councilors are expressing concerns over the program’s financial impact on taxpayers.
Paul Lafond, Commissioner of Schenectady’s Office of General Services, highlighted the challenges posed by residents circumventing the program. “But the biggest thing in our life now is how do we address the excess of the amount of waste that some residents are putting out that are costing the city tax dollars?” said Lafond.
The program, introduced months ago, aims to clean up Schenectady’s streets by charging residents for disposing of large items. Yet, the council is now tasked with addressing the volume of waste being collected. “We’re paying for that waste. There shouldn’t be forty or fifty bags at a house. So again, that is the decision that the council has to make, and where do we set that baseline?” Lafond added…