City of Española News:

ESPAÑOLA — As many Española residents and business owners are aware North Central Solid Waste Authority (NCSWA) is struggling to collect refuse from accounts in Española and Rio Arriba County.

In an attempt to protect the general public during this time, the City of Española has had city employees assisting NCSWA with the residential refuse collection inside of the city limits. City staff is collecting trash for more than 50 percent of the residential customers of Española.

Since Sept. 5 the City of Española has attempted to work with NCSWA to find a solution to the problem.

These attempts include:

• Two separate special meetings of the NCSWA board to discuss the perceived problems;
• Requesting financial documentation pertaining to NCSWA; and
• Two emergency City Council meetings to discuss these issues during which no representative from NCSWA was in attendance.

All attempts to find a solution for the problem have been met with consistent obstacles.

Due to the inability to identify the problems or any solution to the problems at NCSWA, the Española City Council Tuesday Oct. 4 voted unanimously to bring sanitation services back as a city department for both commercial and residential customers. The decision to bring sanitation services back as a city department was a difficult choice for the City Council, but upon further review of the financial state of NCSWA, it was determined that this is the best option for the City in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community as a whole.

Over the next 30 days the City will begin the transition from NCSWA, to the City of Española for sanitation services. During this time the city will be notifying customers of their collection days and working to identify the residents that may require additional assistance with the placement of their poly carts.

Direct questions regarding the changeover in sanitation services to Española City Hall at 505.747.6100.