By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh
The Eastern Regional Services Board (ERSB) is scrambling to fulfill waste collection for its communities on the Southern Shore after a contractor bailed just a couple weeks into a four-year contract.
Provincial Ready Mix Inc., was awarded a 48-month contract in April to provide waste collection, including recycling. Worth a little more than $1.4 million, including tax, the start date was supposed to be July 1.
ERSB CAO Steve Tessier told The Irish Loop the company gave notice July 14 it is no longer going to provide the services.
“We’re chalking this up to an unfortunate situation with a contractor. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused to customers and know the impact this has had … We know it’s been frustrating,” Tessier said, adding the board is close to a short-term solution.
“We are looking at getting services for the next 10-13 weeks while we go back out and do a more complete RFP (request for proposals) process for a long-term solution,” he said.
Tessier said there was incomplete service provided to some communities initially with missed routes and missed homes, and there was no service the week of July 13-17.
The Town of Ferryland posted to its social media on July 10 that garbage not picked up on July 7 was to be picked up on July 14. However, it posted again on July 20 about garbage collection delays and shared an apology message from the ERSB.
Some residents had stated on social media that they've gone a couple weeks without service.
Provincial Ready Mix could not be reached for comment.
Some communities, such as Cape Broyle and Bay Bulls, transitioned away from ERSB waste collection starting July 1, opting instead for service through a private contractor.
