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Peotone fee complaint  Share
A Peotone resident on Monday night questioned the village's leaf collection fee, saying she already pays a fee for yardwaste pick-up by Star Disposal and having to pay both is not fair. Joan Karczewski noted that her complaint is a year old. In September 2008, she wrote to former Mayor Steve Cross and the village board, asking at that time that the village stop ''billing us for a service that we are not using.'' Village officials heard her concerns during the public comment segment of Monday's board meeting but could not promise that any billing changes would be made. Village Administrator George Gray said later that he will research Karczewski's issues in an effort ''to see what she is referring to.'' In her 2008 letter, Karczewski wrote, ''After listening to the Star Disposal Yardwaste truck remove our yard waste this morning, we were reminded that we have been meaning to write for some time.
''We feel that you need to re-think your amendment to the code about leaf collection and the assessment of a $13.50 fee for leaf collection that will be added to our September fee. ''We paid a fee to Star Disposal to have a blue yard waste container. We also continue to pay a hefty fee for the removal of our yard waste, which includes leaves. We do not feel that it is fair to be charged a fee for leaf collection that we are not using. We also didn't like the threat of our garbage collection services being suspended if we don't pay the fee. We will be paying our garbage fee, just not the leaf collection fee. You can't suspend a fee which we have paid. ''We know we are not the only household in Peotone to be using the blue yardwaste containers. We would appreciate you not billing us for a service that we are not using.'' The letter was signed by Karczewski and her husband, Bill. During Monday's meeting, Karczewski said her position has not changed since she sent the letter to village officials on September 24 last year. ''I don't need it (village leaf collection), I don't want it and I just feel like I'm being hit with it,'' she said, later adding that she pays $13.50 to the village and $53.50 to Star Disposal ''and it's part of the service, so I'm paying twice, and I live in a new section of town, so I don't even have any leaves.'' Village officials explained that fees are part of the overall town budget and are necessary to help defray expenses. In addition, the leaf pick-up helps to keep drainage culverts clear and reduces risk of flooding. But Karczewski countered that the culvert in front of her Hickory Lane property still is flooded ''every time it rains.'' ''I don't see this working, because it's still flooded,'' she told the board. Later, she said, ''They said the leaf pick-up would prevent flooding, but I don't think it floods because of the leaves. I think it's because of the size of the (drainage) pipes.'' Gray said after the meeting that even if the Karczewskis don't have many leaves, they may be blowing onto their property ''from three blocks away.'' He said that keeping culverts clear is important for efficient drainage, and noted that street crews go out several times a week to check on leaf back-up. But because ''we have a limited number of people'' on the public works staff, culverts can't always be cleared every day. At the same time, the village administrator said Peotone's contract with Star Disposal includes the yardwaste fee only if a customer uses that service. ''It's my understanding that if you don't put out any yardwaste, there is no charge,'' he said. ''But we also have garbage pick-up (through Star Disposal) and even if you don't put any garbage bags out, you still have to pay that fee.'' ''The existing ordinance does not include any exceptions,'' Gray said, adding, ''I am going to have to research it (Karczewski's complaint) to see what she is referring to.'' Karen Haave is a reporter for Russell Publications.
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