Gil’s, 41 years in sanitation business

    “We officially got into the sanitation business on Feb. 1, 1968. Mr. and Mrs. Emery White owned the business before and used to bring their trucks into the wrecker service,” explained Marie Berube, vice president.
When Emery had a stroke and was confined to a wheelchair, the couple decided it was time to sell the business.
“They suggested we buy the business. We (Marie and her husband, Gil) went over and discussed the purchase. We got into the business for around $1,000,” she said.
Upon purchasing the company, the Berubes ordered a new truck.
“Folks watched us do the run with the new truck,” said Marie.
“We’ve gone from a flatbed truck to a computerized system. We built sides on the first truck. Thaxter and Betty Rider helped dad out with old farm trucks,” said Tom Berube, general manager, adding the truck most recently purchased is all computerized, making work easier for staff.
“The Riders kept us in trucks,” added Marie.
“And it’s a lot safer. The biggest thing on the new truck is it has a filtered exhaust system, which heats the exhaust and burns the soot, thus reducing emissions by about 80 percent,” said Tom.
The family-owned and -operated business takes pride in making the communities it serves a better place for everyone.
“The new truck is cleaner-burning. From 2008 on, everything constructed has to be built this way. We’re going greener,” said Tom.
Tom said the new Sterling joins several Internationals already in the fleet.
“So far we love it (the new truck). We have four packer trucks and presently have four roll-off trucks, including two mini and two full-sized,” said Tom. “We’ve built the fleet to accommodate the needs of the area.”
Gil’s serves seven communities with the packer trucks, picking up residential waste on a regular schedule.
“And we serve all of Aroostook with rolloffs. We also sublet to other companies,” said Tom.
“The communities we serve include: Washburn, Presque Isle, Mapleton, Wade, Perham, Chapman and Castle Hill,” said Marie.
In addition to the office staff, Gil’s employs a crew of five for the packer trucks and two people to handle rolloffs.
Gil’s sense of family extends beyond the Berubes to include several employees who’ve been with them for a number of years.
“Some staff have been with us at least 10 years or more,” said Marie.
Marie said it’s not the most glamorous job but offers steady employment.
“We offer benefits and an honest day’s living,” said Marie. “We’re very confident with our crew and don’t have to worry.”
With crews on the roads on a daily basis, Tom said safety is of top importance.
“Crews are required to wear reflective gear when working on the road. It makes a difference. The vests do work (to improve visibility and safety),” said Tom. “The crews feel much safer with them.”
The Berubes realize their success wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of their staff.
“We take pride in our employees. We have a Christmas party for them, give bonuses and treat them good,” said Marie.
“This is a hard job. In the spring, you get mud and rain. In the summer, there’s the smell. And while you don’t get the smell in the winter, it’s difficult on crews because of the ice, snow and cold. When everyone else is inside working, our employees are outside doing their job,” said Tom.
Trash removal is a never-ending task and one performed regularly, regardless of the weather.
“We’re out there every week, in all types of weather. We don’t have the luxury of shutting down,” said Tom.
The strangest thing they’ve discovered in the trash was a wild animal, according to Tom.
“We have problems with birds raiding the trash, so folks should cover their garbage. But the most unusual thing we’ve discovered was a load with a skunk in it. We don’t know how it got in, but it ran off when the load was dumped at the landfill,” said Tom. “We get squirrels around trash. Also had a cat in a barrel once that scared the daylights out of me and my driver.”
The biggest thing the Berubes have seen change over the past 40 years is the increased interest in recycling.
“Recycling is up considerably. Our trucks are set up to store recyclables. And there’s a section near the packer blade to put more,” said Tom, noting he’d like to see it pick up to the point “where a second truck was needed to pick up recyclables.”
Tom said he’s been with the business for nearly 19 years and has seen a big difference in what can go into the landfill.
“First it was a ban on cardboard. Now folks are encouraged to use blue bags for separating their recycled items from trash destined for the landfill,” he said.
The face of the landfill has changed, according to Tom.
“It (landfill) used to be brown with cardboard. Now it’s black and white from trash bags,” said Tom. “Recycling is definitely working and has expanded the life of the landfill.”
Tom said in addition to the other materials the business picks up, an average of one ton of cardboard is taken to the recycle center each week.
“We have free blue bags for customers, as does the city, to help promote recycling,” said Marie.
Gil’s also offers customers an opportunity to drop off recyclables at their facility at 47 Washburn Rd. as well.
Formerly located at Gil and Marie’s home on the Caribou Rd., the office moved to the new location roughly a year ago.
“Folks were stopping in nights and weekends. Mom and dad didn’t have any privacy. That’s what led to the decision to move the office,” said Tom.
In keeping with the family theme of the business, and the many families served regularly, Tom said a former employee now has a truck dedicated in his honor.
“Marvin Carmichael Jr. worked for us for about five years, before he died of lung cancer last year. So we dedicated the new truck after Marvin,” said Tom.
“Marvin never had a care in the world, said Marie. “This is a business but we’re more like family.”
“He was a guy everyone liked,” said Tom. “Marvin is definitely missed at Gil’s.”
In an effort to bring the business into the 21st Century, Tom said a Web site is being created to allow online bill payments and other options. Additional information, such as the business’s history and holiday pick-up schedules, will also eventually be added to the site.
“The site provides information to potential customers, 24/7, in addition to allowing customers to pay bills online. We also offer information on recycling, the size of containers we carry, as well as the type of services  we provide,” said Tom. “Visit Gil’s at www.gilssanitation.com.”
Tom said since they began accepting credit cards, business has “taken off extremely well.”
“It’s a plastic world out there. It also helps us get our accounts receivable under control,” he said. “Data provided for payment is through a secured link.”
“We also have a payment drop box outside our office and an answering machine for lunchtime and after hours,” said Tom.
Business hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
Gil’s phone number is 769-0711.