WOODVILLE &045; Residents and businesses here will pay more to have their garbage picked up as aldermen took action Tuesday to improve the financial condition of the town’s solid waste department.

Alderman David Smith said the garbage department is losing about $30,000 to $35,000 per year &045; mainly because the town has not raised its rates in recent years to keep up with fee increases at dumping sites and transportation costs.

The board voted 3-0 to apply a $1 increase to residential and light commercial rates and a $2 increase to medium and heavy commercial rates. Alderman Earl Dean Anthony abstained from the vote.

Smith said the increases will shorten the deficit by about $10,000 per year but will not eliminate the problem. Smith suggested that the town may need to contract its garbage service to a private company. The board agreed to consider that option for discussion at next month’s meeting.