After listening to more than two hours of testimony, the Maplewood City Council on Monday night passed a resolution that will allow the city to proceed with plans to consider organized trash collection.

The 4-to-1 vote came after scores of angry residents told the council that they opposed the idea of disbanding the current open trash hauling system, which allows nine licensed haulers to pick up rubbish from any part of the city, and replace it with system in which the city would coordinate trash pickup. Council member Marvin Koppen cast the dissenting vote.

"I have doubts, and questions, but I can't get them answered unless we do the study," said Mayor Will Rossbach. "I want to know the answers. For that reason I am voting for the study."

The vote does not mandate the city to organize. It allows the city to begin the planning process, meet with vendors and determine if such a plan would be beneficial to the city and its residents.

The proposal has sparked a furor in the city where 11,679 households would be affected. The council chamber was full 30 minutes before the public hearing began. So many people showed up that chairs were set up in the lobby of City Hall where the overflow crowd watched the meeting on closed circuit television.

"You are not listening to the taxpayers, " said resident Fran Grant, who spoke during a public hearing. "This is being run like Hitler and his soldiers are following."

An overwhelming majority of those who spoke disagreed with a city report that said organized collection would save residents money, ensure quality service, reduce truck emissions, and reduce wear on city streets. Others objected to what they called the government stepping in to take away their freedom to choose.

"I adamantly oppose organized trash hauling," said resident Chris Greene, who said any savings to residents would amount only to the price of a cup of coffee. "If I want to pay more, that is my choice, not the city's. It's my right to hire and fire" the company of my choice.

But resident Bill Schreiner spoke in favor of the plan. He said that 18 residents on Beaver Creek Parkway joined together to contract with a single trash hauler and that it has resulted in a big savings.

"My base rate is $8.15 a month for a 60-gallon container," he told the council. "How many trash haulers would come to my house for $8.15 month? Base rate is the real measure. I am part of organized system, and I am saving a lot of money. This is not a government takeover of trash hauling. It is really about looking to see if there a better way."

Tim Harlow • 651-735-1824