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Sisters, Oregon
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Sisters speeds up garbage service
By Jim Cornelius

Andy Duran's job just got easier -- and cleaner and faster....

Andy Duran is making quick work of his garbage route on Tuesdays these days.

The City of Sisters has purchased a 17-yard, 1987 Lodal garbage truck with an automated arm that picks up and dumps garbage containers.

Not only does the automated collection make the job go faster, Duran also finishes his route cleaner and a whole lot less tired.

"It's a step up," said public works director Gary Frazee. "We've gone from semi-automated to automated collection."

Duran currently makes 370 stops on Tuesday. According to Frazee, the new truck should allow the city to keep up with 500 to 600 stops in an eight hour shift.

"We're already so much faster it's unbelievable," Frazee said. "We can see already that it's definitely a more efficient operation."

The truck cost $14,000 and comes with a new transmission and a new motor.

"It's in excellent shape," Frazee said.

Frazee requests that residents get their garbage cans out by 7 a.m. on collection day, with the handles facing the house. Bungee cords should be removed and there should be four feet of clearance around the can to allow the automatic arm to operate.

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