BROOKHAVEN — Andy Yates, Waste Management District Manager, fielded questions from the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning. The visit came as Waste Management is about five months into their contract with Lincoln County. 

In contrast with the end of Arrow Disposal Service Inc. tenure, residents have not visited the boardroom to make complaints regarding Waste Management. Yates asked the board if they had any questions. 

District 4 Supervisor Eli Ferguson asked for clarification on who to take questions or issues to. Residents are asked to call the number on the can if they have a missed pickup or have a question. Ferguson was told he could contact several different people with Waste Management. 

District 2 Supervisor Keith Lewis asked if Waste Management was planning to do a house count like what he had done in the past with the City of Brookhaven. Yates said they just need to notify each other about doing so. 

“We had talked about it in the previous negotiations,” Yates said. “We took carts where we were told to take carts, those that are added are there. We have tentative numbers of about 300 carts who weren’t getting service before or had never paid.”

Ferguson asked Yates if he knew how many stolen trash cans there were. Waste Management estimates there are 30 stolen trash cans. Customers are asked to report stolen cans to Waste Management  by calling the number on the cans. Additionally, people with damaged cans are asked to report those. 

“Drivers will report damaged cans as well. We try to take care of those immediately,” Yates said. “We replace cans that are damaged beyond repair. We can replace wheels and lids. If you have a person calling with a damaged can please send them to the 866 number. We will always go out and repair or replace the can.”

Yates added if supervisors see more than two trash cans at a residence it is a good indication of stolen cans. Waste Management only allows two trash cans per residence. 

The topic of second trash cans came up. Residents have expressed frustration in response to articles in The Daily Leader about having to pay $9.99 per month for a second trash can. 

Yates said Waste Management billed customers for the second can on delivery. Customers are further billed on an annual basis for the second trash can. Anyone who started with a second can in October had to pay for the first three months and pay again for the year in January. 

“You may see they didn’t pay their bill but they reported a can was stolen. It wasn’t stolen but if they didn’t pay we are going to take it,” Yates said. “We appreciate the communication that is what makes us better and what will make this relationship and contract be smooth. We still have to work out the kinks. If we can get the missing carts fixed we will be good.”