April 5th of this year MARS (Midwest Area Refuse Solutions) began municipal solid waste collection for the City of Beatrice as well as 5 villages and hundreds of surrounding rural customers. Since that first day employees have worked to improve on their performance every day. In the 8 months since, we have been learning at warp speed all of the intricacies of solid waste collection, recycling practices, and the use of construction roll-offs.
We continue to learn as we go when every day presents a new situation that we learn from. Customers have learned their garbage schedules and many know who their drivers are. MARS will always strive to put forth friendly faces handling your waste collection. Employees have learned their jobs and are proud of the job they do.
As MARS Superintendent as well as the City’s Street Superintendent I’ve been thinking about another challenge that will create some learning moments. That is the combination of automated garbage collection and snow. I’ve had many people ask what my plan is for this winter and how we will handle it. My answer is always the same, we will work through any issues we encounter and learn each time we have a snow event. City of Beatrice residents will still be required to place their collection totes within 3 feet of the curb or just off of the curb if possible. Totes must not be blocked by parked vehicles or have obstacles within 3 feet of the tote. This is so that the tote can be safely dumped and then set back in place. On the lid of your MARS tote are directions for your tote placement.
During snow events, Street Department snowplow operators will make every effort not to tip over totes with flying snow as it is plowed off of the roadway. If we do encounter a time where multiple storms drop plowable snow and large ridges of snow form along the roadway, residents will still need to find a location to place their tote before pickup. Cleared sidewalks or driveway entrances may be good options.
I keep telling myself that every day like this beautiful sunny 50-degree day is one day closer to Spring. One day closer to tilling and planting in the garden and yes, one less chance of blowing snow and ice. I’m sure Mother Nature hasn’t forgotten what month it is and one of these days it will look more like winter but until then let’s enjoy this Fall we’ve had.
Jason Moore
Sanitation Superintendent
Published December 9, 2021