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NEWS
Putnam customers complain about trash collection service
Trash like this left for days on the side of the road is causing a lot of frustration throughout Putnam County.
Purchase this photoWINFIELD, W.Va. -- Putnam County customers are continuing to complain about sporadic trash pickup from Cummings Collection Service.
Paul Stewart, deputy director of West Virginia's Public Service Commission's utilities division, said their investigators have been fielding calls all week with complaints about the lack of service from Cummings.
Some customers say trash has been uncollected for days in the Cummings service area, Stewart said.
Stewart said the company has had many labor and mechanical issues over the past few months along with some competitive pressures from Allied Waste Services in regards to business customers.
In June, the Putnam County Commission had been fielding complaint calls on the matter, but the County Commission didn't have the authority to change the problem.
Complaints about public utilities is handled by the state Public Service Commission, but it the agency can't offer financial or equipment support to those utilities.
"We don't have the authority to provide resources of that kind to them," Stewart said.
If Cummings doesn't resolve the problem in a timely fashion, the Public Service Commission may designate another carrier to take over the service.
"But it's not the sort of action the agency would take lightly," Stewart added.
Throughout the months, Betty Cummings, service co-owner, has asked for patience from the community as they work to address the matter. The company had some technical problems with vehicles earlier this year, which were resolved with some loaned vehicles helping the company catch up on garbage collection. The company is now having trouble retaining drivers, according to Cummings.
"We're trying our best," Cummings said. "We didn't ask for this problem. We're trying the best that we can."
Stewart echoed Cummings sentiments.
"People just need to be patient because eventually this will get worked out," he said.
If you are having problems with your trash pickup, or are interested in applying for a driver's position, call Cummings Collection Service at 304- 562-9291.
