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Crazy_quilter
Citizen
Username: Crazy_quilter
Post Number: 150
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 12:50 pm: | 
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This just came over our neighborhood group (VCNA):
State fines and sanctions SO Disposal for illegal activities;
Information sought in on-going investigation
In January 2006 the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) levied a significant fine against and sanctioned SO Disposal for multiple illegal activities. (NJ DEP regulates SO Disposal as a public utility, has the authority to fine them, and issues or can significantly influence their license to operate in the state. Waste haulers or companies providing garbage service in the state must be licensed by NJ DEP.) NJ DEP is now seeking testimony from any current or previous customer of SOD who has ever had any problems with SOD, including but not limited to:
1) double and triple billing; bogus fines and late fees associated with it;
2) stopping service for any reason at any time;
3) inability to reach SOD by telephone or to get return phone calls;
4) SOD’s unwillingness to provide complete and accurate billing histories promptly upon request;
5) SOD’s destruction of account histories by "computer error" or for any other reason;
6) garbage dumped in driveways, sidewalks or street;
7) garbage cans or lids strewn in street, driveways, lawns, or anywhere else;
8) any other problems individual customers have had
Any SO Disposal customer who has had these or other problems with SO Disposal should contact Mike Detalvo (contact information provided at the end of this email) to report and describe them. The chances of being able to improve garbage service in South Orange, including but not limited to having viable choices and alternatives to SOD, may depend upon the timeliness of your response. Because this division of NJ DEP regulates waste hauling for the entire state and is now focused on SO Disposal, it is important to contact Detalvo now if you want to be heard or to improve future choices for the town.
You must communicate directly with the state if you wish to be heard. Of four kinds of garbage service licensed in the state, the township of South Orange has the worst kind allowable. It is called "scavenger service" which means the town administration assumes no legal responsibility for the quality of garbage service provided to town residents. Mr. Detalvo recommends that municipalities have just about any other kind of service than this lowest grade of service. Specifically, he recommends and tries to persuade municipal governments to provide another kind of service that allows residents to deduct all costs for their garbage service from their taxes. The town of South Orange has rejected his advice. As a separate matter, you might also communicate with members of the town’s Board of Trustees (NOT the town administration in village hall) and ask that the town upgrade the kind of garbage service available so that residents may deduct their garbage service costs from their taxes.
Contact information to report problems with SO Disposal:
Mr. Mike Detalvo
Supervisor of Economic Regulation
Division of County Environmental and Waste Management
Bureau of Solid and Hazardous Waste Regulation
Post Office Box 414
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
telephone: 609-984-6825 |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 3845
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 1:07 pm: |
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Oh boy I bet Tony at SOD is not happy about this! How else is the word getting out? I just printed your post and plan to show it to several of my neighbors I know don't read MOL. Thanks!
I'd also post this in Soapbox! |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 8536
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 1:48 pm: |
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And guess who hired them. |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 2026
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 2:05 pm: |
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I live in Maplewood.... |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 8537
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 2:07 pm: |
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http://www.stopwmx.org/corrupt.html |
Mergele
Citizen
Username: Mergele
Post Number: 363
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 2:17 pm: |
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bwhah hah hah!!! It's about time!! I might just dig out my "Trash Nazi" file and send the whole thing to Mr. Detalvo!! |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 3847
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 2:19 pm: |
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FWIW
We haven't had problems with South Orange Disposal. |
Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 85
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 2:26 pm: |
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Dave,
Please elaborate on the relationship between SOD & Waste Management? I know personally when I shopped for a large dumpster I was using a 3 year old Blue Book (GC tool to subcontract/ contact info) and many of the smaller companies had been taken over by Waste Management - while entertaining quotes I also noticed that the prices for the same dumpster from a Waste Management associated facility was 20% - 35% higher in price then competitors. The bottom line is that if Waste Managment gets into the mix you can be guaranted we are being overcharged big time. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 8539
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 2:37 pm: |
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I wasn't implying a relationship between the companies, but was poking Monster in the eye with a pointed stick. However, I agree there should be more competition. |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 2034
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 4:18 pm: |
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Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2306
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 4:45 pm: |
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Crazy_quilter,
Can you elaborate on what SOD was cited for? Your post says they were hit with a fine, but it does not say what for. And the list of items that you mention do not appear, from my admittedly uninformed view, to all be illegal activities. |
Crazy_quilter
Citizen
Username: Crazy_quilter
Post Number: 151
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 5:44 pm: |
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Maybe the double and triple billing might be illegal?
I don't know if this is even true. It was posted on my neighborhood eloop, so it is probably irresponsible on my part to just post it w/o checking it out somehow, But i figure that's what y'all are for! |
campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 346
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 7:01 pm: |
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I believe its also illegal to shut off someone's garbage collection without notice. I know a couple times our garbage has been cut off without notice. Once because I didn't receive a bill (they send out little postcards which tend to get trapped in circulars) and therefore hadn't paid it. Once I had paid the bill, but they cut me off anyway, and then tried to tell me I hadn't paid - when I had a copy of the cancelled check. Both times, it took several tries at calling before I could reach a real person. I didn't keep records because it was a minor hassle, I believe there have been several threads complaining about the illegality of cutting off garbage without notice. I find it annoying that they throw the garbage cans in the street, creating a giant slalom course if there is the slightest bit of wind |
Mergele
Citizen
Username: Mergele
Post Number: 364
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, February 5, 2006 - 12:04 pm: |
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Corrected contact info, as per the original poster to the VCNA list:
Mr. Mike Detalvo
Supervisor of Economic Regulation
Division of County Environmental and Waste Management
Bureau of Solid and Hazardous Waste Regulation
Post Office Box 414
Department of Environmental Protection
State of New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
telephone: 609-984-6825 |
talk-it-up
Citizen
Username: Talkitup
Post Number: 205
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 11:22 pm: |
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Am I to understand the state will protect us from our garbage
but
Why is it we are able to protect our garbage
but we cannot protect ourselves from garabage?
Who is out there to protect us from conflicts of interest?????? Who can protect us from drowning in our own municipal government? It takes only one bad apple.
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Eire
Citizen
Username: Eire
Post Number: 109
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 12:56 am: |
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This may be a silly question, but are there other options beyond SOD? Does anyone use anyone else?? |
vermontgolfer
Supporter
Username: Vermontgolfer
Post Number: 346
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 2:42 pm: |
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Yeah, invite Arlo Gurthrie over to dinner and he'll take care of your garbage.
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Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 1405
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 - 2:51 pm: |
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I believe its also illegal to shut off someone's garbage collection without notice. I know a couple times our garbage has been cut off without notice. Once because I didn't receive a bill (they send out little postcards which tend to get trapped in circulars) and therefore hadn't paid it.
campbell29
That happened to us also. We had no warning prior to this. Luckly,one of the regular guys stopped me when I was leaving for work early morning and told me that they were told not to pick-up our garbage because we were late in paying. I swear, we had to dig through our bills… nothing. I don't know if it was lost or trapped into those circulars.
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Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3522
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
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It seems that there's a S.O. resident who's on some sort of mission against South Orange Disposal, and she's put together a list of MOLers whom she believes have made posts critical of the company, in hopes of garnering their testimony in some sort of litigation.
Speaking only for myself (a S.O. resident since '86), I can say with confidence that I've never posted anything critical of the company. Yet, somehow, I wound up on her list, and was emailed by Jamie, as some sort of favor to her, with a vague invitation to contact her regarding commenting on S.O.D....
Well, I took the bull by the horns and called her, to ascertain her agenda regarding S.O.D., and in order to understand why Jamie invited me to contact her in the first place.
I asked her for some background on herself, but instead she started spouting a lot of talking points about the criminality and corruption in NJ's waste hauling history, and how the industry is currently being regulated, and specifically that S.O. Disposal's got a long criminal past.
Then she went on to talk about some anonymous attorney who's doing a separate investigation of S.O.D., and on and on and on... She clearly has a grudge against the firm. Fair enough, but since I've never had any problems with them, I told her that I wasn't interested in helping her.
Then I asked her why she hadn't simply posted on MOL to ask for input about S.O.D.; at this, she became quite defensive, and all but hung up on me.
For somebody who has only lived here for two years, she's got a lot of anger about the company, which I assume is from some unhappy dealings with them.
Like I said, I've got no particular kick about garbage pickup here in S.O.; I might not like to pay a separate bill for the service, and I once got pissed at a crew from The Occupational Center on Recycling day, but that's about it.
I'm sure (as has been noted by previous posters) there are lots of reasons to investigate evil-doing and incompetence in the trash hauling business, but from what I've seen, I'll take S.O.D. over Waste Management any day of the week.
If any of you have been contacted about this by Jamie, I just thought you oughta know why. Your mileage may vary, of course, so feel free to weigh in...
-s.
BTW: Is the service really that bad on Montague Street? Sorry to hear it...
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Reichfuhrer Smelt
Citizen
Username: Parkingsux
Post Number: 321
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 11:04 am: |
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Double billing problems..... garbage has a petulant odor when baked in the sun.... have you ever noticed! |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 8714
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 11:34 am: |
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MOL did NOT give out anyone's e-mail addresses. The woman in question, Ms. W, called me (numerous times) asking for my help to contact people who have expressed problems with SOD on MOL. I explained how to create a user account and send private messages. She said she "didn't have time" to do so. So I said I didn't either and, moreover, never had a problem with SOD regarding either service or billing. (In fact, I made a payment mistake once).
Then Ms. W called Jamie and he decided to be a bit more helpful and private lined a few people using his account and forwarded the woman's request. That was it. Probably a mistake.
For some reason she fears using her own name to build her lawsuit on MOL, so wants others (eg., Soda, me, Jamie) to use our names to fight her battle. However, at no time did we give out anyone's real name or e-mail address. We did give a means of getting in touch with Ms. W.
Frankly, I find Ms. W's behavior and odd requests on my time much more disturbing than SOD's alleged troubles. |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 3523
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 1:08 pm: |
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Amen.
But to any of you who feel so moved, here's your big chance to pile on S.O.D.! Just email Jamie, and I'm sure he'll be happy to put you in touch with "Ms. W.". After that, you're on your own...
-s. |
campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 352
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 1:38 pm: |
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I got one of the emails too, and just ignored it. I don't have the time or energy or grievance level necessary to vent about this. (Now, if we were going to start bitching about Verizon and fining them, I would definitely be intrigued ;)
I live on Montague and the garbage situation is not a major problem, although I do know there are certainly people who have had issues. I just assumed it was a village wide problem, not confined to our area. In my opinion, the water situation is far more aggravating and worthy of rectification than the garbage one. |
Sitoyan
Citizen
Username: Sitoyan
Post Number: 145
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 3:22 pm: |
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Ms W. has been a nuisance to many Villagers, myself included, She is out on a crusade against SO Disposal, because, as she says, they have over-billed her and she refused to pay. She is taking her issue to the courts, and wants to round up support from others. She is argumentative and she can go on-and-on forever, repeating herself one hundred times.  Avoid contact, it may be dangerous to your health. 
We have no complaints with SO Disposal. When, once, they double-billed us we made them aware of it and that was the end of it. |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 62
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 6:08 pm: |
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I believe I remember reading several years ago that S.O.D. was purchased by Waste Management. If so, I am not sure how this figures into this picture.
Unfortunately, there are very few garbage companies left in the industry. So it will be difficult to find competitors to bid against S.O.D. if that is what the S.O. residents hope to achieve.
Regarding the list of questionable practices, sanitation removal is viewed by the state as a utility. Some of the offenses listed are similar to those for which the state went after E-Z pass and some cable companies.
I have no complaint against S.O.D. so, whatever.
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4073
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 7:08 pm: |
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When I showed my mom the original thread about SOD my mom went nuts saying I better not get involved as we haven't had any problems with them. My brother uses them a lot on his construction sites. Our garbage men always go above and beyond for us.
Does anyone know who 'Mrs W' is? Dave, if one of us knows who she is and posts her name on MOL would that cause you or Jamie any problems? |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 8719
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 7:22 pm: |
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Someone who is trying to create a lawsuit based on other people's names deserves to have their name posted here. I'm not doing so simply as a courtesy because I really don't know her and there may be other issues in play regarding her state of mind. |
Sitoyan
Citizen
Username: Sitoyan
Post Number: 148
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 8:22 pm: |
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It wouldn't serve any purpose to out Ms. W. I just hope that she reads all this.
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4075
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 10:05 pm: |
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Well I just got hung up on by Mrs Susan Weber who told me when I didn't agree with her way of getting people involved with her 'problems' concerning SOD that she was going to call the police to tell them I was harassing her! I refused to give her my last name saying before I did I'm interested in what her 'issues' were with SOD. I also asked who the lawyer handling her complaints was.
I told her if she had complaints against SOD that maybe she should post what's happening on MOL herself instead of dragging Jamie into it. I told her I was going to post this on the board. This way she could reach larger audience. If anyone wishes to share your thoughts with her, since she is looking for feedback.
Dave, if you get a letter from a lawyer asking who I am, feel free to give my name. I'm not scared of someone who hides behind a nice guy like you or Jamie to do her dirty work.
Sitoyen -the 'purpose' of posting this is I don't have warm and fuzzy feelings for someone who instead of answering perfectly valid and reasonable questions regarding her reason(s) for the lawsuit, gets angry and insulted as if I have some nerve asking. I think if Ms Weber feels angry enough to bring a lawsuit against SOD, to the point she is asking posters from MOL to get involved, she should have created her own account and asked us herself. Not call Dave and Jamie.
Then even worse, when informed how to create a MOL account to contact people herself, she tells Dave she didn't have time to do so. By involving Jamie, I believe she was trying to have us believe MOL backed what she was doing. But I'm not that dumb and knew better.
Crazy- Do you mind sharing what area of town the notice you shared came from?
PS I hope Ms Weber does read this! If she does, you reap what you sow. You want people aware of your so called 'problems' yet you won't even reveal to people why you want them to help you fight your battles. Even worse you go berserk when questioned. Feel free to have your lawyer contact Dave for my name. And go ahead and try to take me to court. You will loose big time. |
Crazy_quilter
Citizen
Username: Crazy_quilter
Post Number: 200
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 8:24 am: |
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it was posted on the vcna loop. (village colonial neighborhood assoc.) by guess who! |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 1427
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 9:17 am: |
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it wouldn't serve any purpose to out Ms. W. I just hope that she reads all this.
DITTO!
I got the an email also but chose to just ignore it. The complainant should've PM folks herself if she was that concerned. To "out" someone and post their phone number is just adding fuel to the fire. Why stir-up the pot?
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Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4084
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 12:23 pm: |
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Phen-
Why stir the pot? Because she's already put her name on several items. Therefore it's public information. I'm pretty sure she has an account now. I'm interested in hearing what her problems are / were and what she's done to try to get them resolved. I'd like to know what brought her to the point she's filed a lawsuit.
Her email gave her phone number asking for anyone with information to please call her. I told her I intend to post this on the board, she didn't ask me not to. |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 1428
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 1:05 pm: |
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JTA
For one, you ARE stirring the pot. Re-read what you posted:
PS I hope Ms W**** does read this! If she does, you reap what you sow. You want people aware of your so called 'problems' yet you won't even reveal to people why you want them to help you fight your battles. Even worse you go berserk when questioned. Feel free to have your lawyer contact Dave for my name. And go ahead and try to take me to court. You will loose big time.
Soda & Dave pretty much explained where this lady is coming from. Like others, I got the email and chose not to get involved. Soda's conversation with this individual confirms perhaps I made the right choice. In this matter, I rather do the research on my own and decide after all the facts are known.
Tho this is a public forum, I don't care for folks"outing" someone on the board. (Kudos to Soda, Dave and others from refraining.) The email gave her phone number,(which was private line) not publicized on MOL.
Perhaps this individual did not have immediate access to MOL, but at least JTA give HER the chance to post her greivance and if she wanted reveal her name. Lawd knows we don't need another lawsuit against the Ross brothers.
BTW… I hope her number is not unlisted.  |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 4087
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 1:48 pm: |
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Phen-
My comment about the lawyer is the same response I gave her when after she realized I didn't agree SOD stank. Once she realized this she said she was going to call the police for my harassing her. I pointed out it was her email I was responding to and I just wanted some more information. She also told me since I wouldn't give her my last name she was going to get it from Dave or Jamie. I told her go ahead.
While the email was private, nothing in it said anything about not telling anyone else. Also, I informed Mrs Weber I would be posting this information on MOL. More then once I said it. When I asked her if she had a problem with this she changed the subject, Not once did she ask me not to.
There are fliers going around with her name and phone number on them. The filing of lawsuits are public information, right? So people know who she is. Look what happened with the lawsuit for the Christmas music. After it was filed the person's name (can't recall it) was all over MOL.
Mrs Weber does have access to MOL, because she told me she's read the threads. Being able to post, I don't know. I do know it's not that hard to create an account. I agree the Ross' don't need another lawsuit. Don't think it will get to that. |
Jeff Alexander
Citizen
Username: Jalexander
Post Number: 76
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 10:51 am: |
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I don't really care about Ms. Weber's personal issues with South Orange Disposal.
I do, however, care about my issues with them. These issues include: missed pickups (and refusal to make up for those missed pickups), dumped garbage, incomplete service (we can't put ANYTHING out.. I see what our neighbors in West Orange put out and the difference is astounding), nasty/indifferent customer service (I was threatened for complaining once), and just generally leaving a huge mess after they leave.
Apparently, there is a another option for South Orange, with back yard pickup - "T Forese and Son"
John Ganella is the contact and their number is 973-242-8008. I requested an info pack..
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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 3433
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 11:01 am: |
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While I personally haven't had any significant issues with the "garbage men", someone recently told me they were approached by one of them as they collected their garbage and said they were "hungry" and asked for $10. Although, I do not believe this was reported for fear of retribution. Anyone else ever seen or heard of anything like this? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2613
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 11:04 am: |
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I know Jeff has had his issues with S. Orange Disposal, but I really do not have any complaints. In 20 years they have never missed a pick-up at my house. I know that if you call in advance you can get anything picked up but there will be an extra charge. They even put the lid back on the trash can most times. I even saw the guy picking up garbage that was all over the sidewalk after the bag broke. I went out with a broom and dustpan and he took it from me and said it was his job (that was several years ago).
I have never had to call so personally I can't comment on the customer services.
From my position as trustee, there really have been very few complaints other than about the billing issues.
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