In response to the escalating costs of waste hauling contracts in the area, Middletown Township is launching its search for a new waste hauling contract early in an attempt to secure more affordable rates.
Advertisements
The Board of Supervisors at their Monday meeting heard from Township Manager Stephanie Teoli Kuhls on her plan to start the bidding process with potential haulers ahead of schedule.
Middletown Township residents currently pay an annual fee of $401 for waste hauling services by Waste Management, a rate that is notably lower than that of neighboring townships. Recent contract renewals in nearby Bristol Township and Bristol Borough have seen price hikes of 40 percent and 85 percent respectively.
“This service has skyrocketed since we last bid it,” Teoli Kuhls said.
Advertisements
The increases in the region concerned Teoli Kuhls as she prepares for Middletown Township’s upcoming search for a new contract that will run from 2025 to 2029.
“We really need to look at options to mitigate that potential increase,” she said.
Middletown Township’s waste collection service is currently done manually by Waste Management crews twice a week. The manual service differs from the automated systems on trucks that have been adopted by many other towns.
Advertisements
Previous concerns about job losses with a shift towards automation have kept the township from moving to automated service, but rising costs and a hot job market have led to the township to look at automated collection.
Teoli Kuhls said transitioning to an automated once-per-week trash and recycling collection using 96-gallon toters—an option now being considered—is significant because the toters are substantially larger than the average trash can.
“Most municipalities have once a week collection. I know that it seems tough to people, but the numbers drop off dramatically in the amount of trash that is put out on a second trash collection day. You might think you’re using that day very heavily, but across the township, it’s a fraction on the second collection day,” Teoli Kuhls said.
Advertisements
The township will also get a bid on manual pick-up options and continued twice-per-week service.
Other cost-saving measures, like once-per-month bulk collection and the color of toters, will be looked at to lessen any financial impact on residents, Teoli Kuhls said.
According to the township manager, Waste Management has reassured her that transitioning to automated collection would not result in job losses, citing existing staffing challenges. The company also said automated collection is safer for crews.
Advertisements
The township is also considering adding an app to address waste collection issues. There is already a dedicated phone line for issues that is part of the existing $24.3 million contract with Waste Management.
The township has continued to have certain issues with Waste Management’s service, Teoli Kuhls said.
During the discussion, Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Ksiazek spoke in favor of moving to automated collection.
Advertisements
“Ultimately, my gut feeling from doing this a long time is that the amount of money this is going to cost people is really going to make a difference,” Teoli Kuhls said.
The township plans to create surveys and other avenues for the public to offer their feedback and ideas.
Advertisements
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
