By CHRISTOPHER LENOIS

LAPLACE – Grumblings about Waste Management’s inefficiency with trash pick-up in St. John the Baptist Parish came to the forefront during this week’s parish council meeting, with the council members openly threatening to invoke a 30-day termination clause in the contract.

Council member Melissa Faucheux submitted photographs to the parish administration of trouble areas in her district depicting trash in the street.

“I’ve had seven trash cans replaced at my personal residence,” Faucheux exclaimed before urging constituents in her district to contact her directly if they experienced similar problems with trash collection service.

Councilman Steve Lee was in agreement with Faucheux, charging Parish President Nickie Monica and his staff to begin building a case against Waste Management should the council decide to cancel the contract.

“It’s pretty easy to prove if they are doing their job or not,” said Lee. “If and when I have to call for (cancellation), I’m coming with five votes.”

Chief Administrative Officer Chris Guidry described a meeting earlier this month with Waste Management officials as “not very pleasant.”

From the meeting, he received a letter outlining nine action items Waste Management would undertake to demonstrate “remarkable improvement” in service by early May. Guidry cited more supervisors in the field and service for bulky waste now on the entire service route as examples that have already been put into effect.

“I’ve seen some progress since the meeting. But other places where they aren’t doing as well,” said Councilman Dale Wolfe, who has been one of most vocal proponents of canceling the contract during previous meetings.

Other council members agreed that service has improved some as of late.

Council member Steve Lee recounted contacting officials from Waste Management and the parish administration at their homes one evening when trash had not been picked up. Lee said the call prompted senior members of Waste Management to personally come out and pick up the trash at 1:30 in the morning.

“The bosses recognize they are on notice,” said Lee. “I believe we’re going to see some improvement after all the fussin’ and cussin’ I’ve done about it. I’m willing to give them some more time. But not a lot.”