Voters in Downers Grove Township will be asked whether they want to allow the township to be involved in contracting for refuse disposal services for residents who live or operate businesses in unincorporated areas.
The Nov. 4 ballot question will read: “Shall Downers Grove Township be authorized to contract, administer or license a refuse collection, disposal and recycling program on behalf of the residents of the unincorporated areas of the Township, pursuant to Section 85-13(f) and Article 210 of the Township Code?”
Township Clerk Laura Hois said residents of several unincorporated subdivisions are seeking the township’s help to arrange for refuse collection. Currently each homeowner in the unincorporated subdivisions such as Timberlake, Liberty Park, Golf View Hills and Pleasantdale arranges on their own for garbage and recycling collection.
“The residents want to gain better service and help keep costs down,” Hois said.
According to minutes of a June township meeting to discuss the idea of putting the ballot question to voters, Jack Novak, a resident who has spearheaded the ballot question, said costs for refuse collection vary greatly among homeowners.
Novak said he knows of a homeowner who pays $200 a month, while he pays $72 a quarter.
If voters approve the township would contract for refuse services on behalf of unincorporated residents. It would be involved in creating a bid package to define the services needed, seeking bids and, according to the minutes, ideally contract with one hauler.
There are about 7,000 residents of unincorporated Downers Grove Township who contract for refuse collection services on their own.
