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MORE &
MORE TRASH TALK:
After an overwhelming
response to our survey, we wanted to address many of the questions
that have come up with regard to the voluntary unified trash initiative.
Over the past year, the HOA board has solicited input from members
who have helped check out different trash companies and compared
services, pricing, recycling, etc. We know many of you are happy with
your current providers, and some members may not elect to participate
in the trash initiative. Overall, it looks as though a large majority
of our HOA members will participate and will save a lot of money in
doing so. Bestway works with a few
neighboring HOA's (like Golden Hills and Peregrine) and we have
received a lot of positive feedback from them and their homeowners.
After much consideration, the board felt that Bestway
was the best way
:-) to meet the needs of our neighborhood.
First of all,
let's review the "why?!" Having
unified trash service will help cut back on the heavy-load truck
traffic running through our streets. On any given day, these massive
trucks are seen racing from one Pinecliff
home to another with big gaps in between customers. The trucks are
noisy, and are very hard on our streets. They create a safety hazard
for small children playing outside, kids riding bikes, children
waiting at bus stops, pets out walking their owners, wildlife etc.
Even Billy who handles our US mail service loves the unified trash
idea. So, Pinecliff is "going green"
with the red
trucks!
Having more of
our neighbors on the same day schedule not only makes it easier to
remember to set out our trash, but it cuts back on having obstructive
trash cans spattering the Pinecliff
horizon, cluttering our sidewalks and tumbling through our streets
every windy day of the week. Trash cans blow over, litter scatters
through our parks, bears & wild critters find a feast -- you get
the picture. Having the same trash service also builds community and
drives HOA membership which adds value to your home in a variety of
ways. It's easier to help a neighbor out with their trash when
they are away, you can let a neighbor throw an extra bag or two out
with your trash if you have not exceeded your limit, and you will have
a louder voice when working with Bestway.
Now
a few of the details:
Trash pick up is currently on Tuesdays
beginning at 7:30am
and looks as though that will remain the same. There is NO ADDITIONAL FEE for their
96 gallon trash carts OR their 64 gallon recycling cart! If
you already are the proud owner of a recycling bin you prefer to use,
you can do so if all logos are covered up :-) We suggest donating old
bins or selling them on-line and going with the FREE ones provided by
Bestway.
IMPORTANT:
THESE NEGOTIATED TERMS/RATES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE TO PHOA MEMBERS.
Because we have had such a good response, we were able to negotiate
weekly service of 1
- 96 gal. trash bin + up to 2 extra bags
for $132 annually. Any
additional bins required will be $120
annually. Recycling is an additional $60
per year. Because Bestway's
recycling program is "single-stream," there is no
separating or sorting required. That is why they may charge a bit
more for their recycling services. Bestway
is an industry leader and had the first "material recovery
facility" in Colorado where they process their recycling. They
recycle the same items that other companies recycle but make it
easier for their customers to do so. For more information on
their recycling program, what they accept and do NOT accept, please click here. Feel
free to contact Bestway at (719)633-8709
if you have additional questions with regard to their services. Bestway actually offers free tours to groups of
20-30 people for their "material recovery facility." The
PHOA could help coordinate a tour for our members if there is
interest in doing so.
The annual
billing cycle will run March-February and must be pre-paid to the
HOA. If you choose to join mid-year, the prices will be prorated
monthly ($11/mo for trash; $5/mo for recycling). Payments will need to
have been received by PHOA before the 20th of any month PRIOR to
starting service. For example, if you choose to participate
beginning in May, you would need to pre-pay for 10 months (May 2013
through the end of February 2014) which is $110 ($11 x 10 months) for
trash and $50 ($5 x 10 months) for recycling. The PHOA would need to
have received payment in full on or before the 20th of April in order
to ensure your service will begin the beginning of May. The same
applies to adding recycling mid-year.
New customers
will receive their 96-gallon trash carts and/or a 64 gallon recycle
cart for FREE on Tuesday, February 26th and begin new service
Tuesday, March 5th. You are welcome to establish service sooner
with Bestway but will bill through them
until March 1st at their regular rates.
FOR
CURRENT BESTWAY CUSTOMERS:
You will be responsible for paying Bestway
at your current rates through the end of February. Then you may
OPT to join the PHOA and participate in the trash program, after you
prepay at the rates listed above. The PHOA will let Bestway know you are continuing service under the
HOA. Then you will no longer be billed by Bestway,
but will continue with your service as usual. Realize that your
Tuesday pick-up times may change, however, since you may be earlier
or later on the Bestway service routes. IF
YOU HAVE PREPAID BESTWAY FOR A FULL OR PARTIAL YEAR, PLEASE CONTACT
BESTWAY (633-8709) TO LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE BILLING THROUGH
PHOA AND THEY WILL REFUND YOU THE DIFFERENCE.
PHOA can accept
payments for membership and trash service by mailing checks to: Pinecliff Homeowners' Assoc., PO Box
49372, Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9372; or by Paypal @ paypal@pinecliff-hoa.com.
Credit card payments will be possible at the Membership Drive at Arceos, January 17th (see information below) or
call Lisa @ (719)661-2468.
Bestway
and the PHOA board want to thank
you in advance for your support as we roll out
this program. We hope this will be a good experience for everyone
but, as always, we appreciate your feedback.
Q & A:
Is participation in the unified trash service
mandatory?
No, it
is a completely voluntary program offered through PHOA.
If I want to cancel my service mid-year, can I get my
money back?
Yes,
PHOA will refund homeowners for unused months of service but we will
not refund for partial months. However, service is transferrable to
new homeowners.
We had special needs or arrangements made with a
previous provider, will Bestway honor
that?
More
than likely, yes. Bestway may need
you to sign a waiver first, but contact Bestway
at 719-633-8709 for more information. Any special arrangements,
additional services or unique situations will need to be handled
directly with Bestway.
Can we put our service on hold if we are gone for
extended periods of time?
Yes. First,
if you are gone for more than 4 weeks, you will need to inform Bestway of the dates you will not be needing
service so they don't bill PHOA. Next, you will need to inform
the HOA of the unused service so we can reimburse you.
If we forget to place our trash out, will Bestway come back to pick it up?
If you
call them before they have left the neighborhood, yes, they should be
able to accommodate you as long as you don't abuse this privilege.
If we have questions or concerns with anything
pertaining to our Bestway service, who do
we call?
You will still call Bestway at 719-633-8709
unless your questions pertain to billing. If they cannot
resolve your issue, please contact our PHOA trash program coordinator
Leonie Cramer at 719-272-9808 or email: trashservice@pinecliff-hoa.com
What if I'm working on landscaping or fire mitigation
one week and fill up a bunch of extra trash bags?
Bestway will not charge
for occasional extra bags as long as that isn't abused. They
may charge an extra $ .75 per bag exceeding the 2 free ones,
however. Remember, you can ask a neighbor to add a few bags at
their curb if they have room. The PHOA is still sponsoring the
"chipper program" in June, which is a great time to get rid
of accepted landscape debris. Additionally, as "preferred" Bestway customers, the HOA will receive discounts
on dumpsters. If there is enough interest, we could schedule a
"neighborhood cleanup" and pay for a dumpster.
Unfortunately, that benefit has been abused in the past where large
items like furniture, appliances, toxic or unacceptable items have
been left near the dumpsters at the HOA's expense.
Do any of my Pinecliff HOA
dues subsidize the costs of this unified trash service?
No, the
unified trash service is completely self-funded and does not use any
PHOA membership dues. This initiative is volunteer driven and a
benefit of HOA membership.
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