MONTAGUE — As Casella Waste Systems takes over trash and recycling collection in Montague come July 1, residents are advised that a change in pick-up time will likely be the main difference.

Casella representatives met with town officials last week, reviewing information that will be relayed to residents, including a mailer containing important information about the service transition and a promotional video.

Casella’s strategic account manager for Montague, Brandon White, explained the new features Casella will offer residents include an app to view a trash and recycling collection calendar, a guide on how to properly dispose of certain items, and push notifications announcing delays or special announcements.

Although the collection schedule each week will not change, the collection time may shift for some residents, according to Kyle Orr, Casella’s market area manager for Montague.

“The days won’t change. … There might be some differences in how we run the daily routes,” Orr said.

Casella advises residents to put out their trash and recycling on collection days by 7 a.m. to accommodate these route changes.

Prior to last week’s meeting, the Selectboard voted to maintain collection rates for fiscal year 2025, Town Administrator Steve Ellis explained. Ellis mentioned the town’s goal to “reinstate and ensure accountability relative to the sticker and permit system we have,” referencing the six-month and one-time-use stickers on trash barrels.

“We really worked hard to make this transition as seamless as possible for residents,” Ellis said, with much of the existing framework for waste collection being maintained.

The change in trash and recycling haulers came in the wake of the town’s longstanding dissatisfaction with Republic Services’ lack of consistency collecting trash and recycling on time. The Selectboard decided in July 2023 that contracting with Casella would be the most advantageous option, despite its services being more expensive.

The three-year contract that was adopted last summer sees the first year of service costing $637,100, the second year costing $668,955 and the third year being $702,402. Casella already serves the neighboring towns of Gill and Erving.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.