BERWICK, La. — Leaking trash trucks, drivers on their cell phones and unreliable pickup were among the many issues addressed by Berwick officials when they met with Progressive Waste Solutions representatives Tuesday.

Formerly known as SWDI, Progressive Waste Solutions recently restructured its management and replaced its name. SWDI was among several smaller companies nationwide purchased by IESI in Texas, according to St. Mary Parish Supervisor Kuchonnie Lewis.

In the new management structure, Lewis is the person St. Mary residents should look to when they have trouble with their garbage collection, Roddy Matherne, Progressive District Municipal Market and Governmental Affairs Manager explained.

Speaking to local complaints, aged trucks have leakage problems, and Hurricane Isaac slowed repairs that were under way, Matherne said. If residents see problems with leakage or trucks leaving a mess, they are asked to call the St. Mary office to report it.

Mayor Louis Ratcliff also noted there were problems with consistency of trash pickup. If, for example, a customer had a Tuesday route schedule, he may have his garbage picked up on Wednesday or Thursday.

Matherne promised to address the issue.

“Y’all deserve that. Y’all pay for that, and we need to take care of it,” he said.

Residents also have reported drivers on their cell phones, Councilman Damon Robison said.

Matherne said trucks now are equipped with “drive cams” that record 18 seconds before and after a sudden turn or braking incident. The company has a zero tolerance policy for personal cell phone use while on the job, and it is cause for automatic termination. Should a resident see a garbage truck driver on his or her cell phone, Matherne asked that they call Progressive to report it.

All trucks have blue registrations numbers on them; however, if residents can’t get the numbers, the location may be sufficient as Lewis said she has specific trucks in certain locations in each town.

In other action Tuesday, the Berwick Town Council:

—Set trick-or-treat for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31.

—Approved a parade permit for Berwick High School’s homecoming Thursday, Oct. 25 at 4 p.m.

—Introduced an ordinance transferring Renwick Subdivision Phase V to the Berwick Development District. A public hearing on the matter will be held at the November meeting of the council.

—Approved a resolution granting a 12-foot right of way along Fairview Drive for landscaping purposes.

—Approved partial payments for $55,143 to LA Contracting Enterprise and $2,757 to Miller Engineers for Renwick Subdivision Phase V. The project is about 50 percent complete.

—Agreed to call a public hearing at the November board meeting to consider a rezoning request for 696 Pacific St., from B-2 business to R-3 multi-family residential.