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Residents look for answers as trash piles up in Millis

MILLIS, Mass. — Millis residents are looking for answers as one company contracted to take trash away hasn't shown up.

Homeowners choose what company picks up the trash in Millis, and those with blue barrels are taken care of by Republic Services. After weeks, their trash barrels remain on the curb.

Now, residents are wondering how much longer their trash will sit around after a long wait.

"Four weeks," Julie Ackley said. "Four weeks, no garbage collection."

As the trash begins to smell after weeks of sitting out, maggots are making their way into the barrels.

Maggots were found crawling not only on the inside of barrels, but on the exterior of some, as well.

The Millis Board of Health said they were made aware of the situation on Monday, and has a call into Republic Services.

In a call to the company assigned for media inquiries, no answers were given.

"I'm sorry, we are currently experiencing system problems," the call said.

Derek Orifice, a Millis resident, runs a local trash collection company called Orifice Recycling and Refuse. Orifice said his company has been the beneficiary of the trash barrel breakdown.

"Majority of these containers are being delivered out to Millis," Orifice said. "Today alone, we're probably at 50 to 60 phone calls, and about 99 percent sign-up rates."

Orifice says if his company was running like Republic Services currently is, he'd be out of business.

For now, Republic Services's loss is his gain.