Residents facing increase in their trash collection fee
Hike estimated at $2.30 per month
When Peters council votes on a new five-year garbage/recycling contract in the coming weeks, residents will have to dig a little deeper into their wallets.
“No matter what happens, we will see an increase ,” township manager Paul Laue rs aid during Monday’ s council meeting.
Mr. Lauer said regardless of which hauler council chooses, residents will see about a $2.30 increase per month on their garbage/recycling bill.
The township currently contracts with Waste Management for traditional garbage with automated recycling pickup, which costs residents $16.86 per month.
Mr. Lauer said if the same level of service is maintained, the cost will go up to $19.16 per month with lowbidder Republic Services.
However, Mr. Lauer raised the question of possibly going with automated garbage collection as well as automated recycling. With automated collection, residents are provided with a large bin, and the bins are lifted into the truck mechanically.
The bins would either be owned by the township or leased through the hauler.
“Does it make sense to go with automated garbage collection ?” Mr. Lauer asked.
The township manager pointed out if council decides to go with automated collection for garbage, it would commence in April 2020 and would cost about $1 more per month than traditional collection. However, if the township purchased the garbage bins themselves, the cost could be about 33 cents more per month than traditional collection.
He said if council chooses to continue with the traditional collection, Peters will contract with Republic Services, but if automated is preferred by council, the township will remain with Waste Management.
Mr. Lauer also said the waste industry is moving toward fully automated collection, and while there still is a choice between automated and traditional collection that may not be the case in the future.
Council members David Ball and James Berquist were in favor of going with automated garbage pickup.
“I think it’s a good step forward,” said Mr. Ball, who pointed out automated collection would be more convenient for residents.
“I’m all for automated collection,” Mr. Berquist said.
Council also will consider whether to add on household waste/ electronic recycling for curbside pickup.
Residents now can drop of electronics at the public works garage on select weekdays between noon and 3 p.m. Mr. Lauer said the limited hours have resulted in residents showing up at all hours to drop off items, and non-residents also are using the service.
If council decides to add on the household waste/ electronic collection, residents would have to call or go online to request a collection appointment and a collection kit to pack and secure the items.
On a scheduled date, residents would place the items outside their house, and a technician would collect the materials.
The cost for the service varies. If the township goes with Republic Services, the cost for 2019 would be $1.25 per month.
With Waste Management, the cost is $0.75 per month for the same period.
Council is expected to discuss the matter further later this month and in September.
“Does it make sense to go with automated garbage collection?” Paul Lauer township manager