Special to the Town Crier
The Los Altos Hills City Council enforced its universal garbage service at a special meeting July 15.
Eleven outstanding garbage bills, ranging from $200 to more than $1,000, were discussed at the meeting.
Six residents, who do not use Los Altos Garbage Company's service, said they recycle and dispose of their garbage in other ways and resent being forced to pay for a garbage service they do not use.
Garbage service in Los Altos Hills is no longer mandatory, but a "universal" or "recycling" service costs approximately $14 a month and pays for the hazardous waste program, recycling, town drop-off and required street cleaning.
"Lolita Road is no cleaner than it was before," said Stephanie Munoz. "I'd like to pay for hazardous waste service. I'm unhappy that I am given no other way to pay it then to subscribe to a private hauling service I don't want."
Councilman William Siegel said, "You need to look at the universal service as you look at a tax." Council members said the lack of businesses and therefore sales tax in the town means there must be alternate ways to subsidize things like the hazardous waste program.
Robert Munoz said, "There has not been gentility in the garbage situation."
Resident Mark Jensen said, "There should be some way residents who recycle everything can get off the universal service."
Payment of the outstanding garbage bills is required by the end of July.