Middletown Township officials are preparing for a new waste management contract as costs soar regionally.
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After a recent article on LevittownNow.com, more than 100 emails flooded municipal inboxes, officials said.
Stephanie Teoli Kuhls, the township manager, noted that the current contract with Waste Management charges residents an annual fee of $401 for twice-per-week collections. The contract is set to expire at the end of the year.
“We have worked toward putting together a bid. This is a five-year bid for waste and recycling collection. We have our current contract expiring at the end of this year,” Teoli Kuhls said.
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The township will seek bids for as-is, as-in with bulk collection limited, twice-per-week with automated collection, and once-per-week automated collection.
Nearby Bristol Township and Bristol Borough saw contract cost increases of 40 percent and 85 percent respectively. Such spikes have stirred worries about potential price hikes in Middletown Township as officials prepare to solicit bids for a new contract for 2025 to 2029.
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A possible move to once-per-week automated pick up could involve the use of 96-gallon toters, but there may be options to opt for smaller sizes if residents find them too cumbersome, Teoli Kuhls said.
A public information campaign is planned to keep residents informed about the possible changes.
The township will consider working with the next waste hauler on launching an app to tackle collection issues more efficiently. There is an existing dedicated phone line for such concerns with Waste Management.
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Sean Post, a local resident, believes the current service provides “the best bang for your buck in government.” However, he voiced concerns about bulk pickup, toter replacement, and the need for more localized customer service.
Waste Management has assured the township that the shift to automated collection would not lead to job losses, attributing this to existing staffing challenges and noting that automation would improve crew safety.
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However, resident Eric Bruno expressed skepticism and was seeking more detailed assurances from Waste Management about job retention.
The Board of Supervisors has voted to advertise the bid in.
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The township manager said a bid would be awarded at the August Board of Supervisors meeting.
The township has 12,000 homes currently serviced by Waste Management, but that could change once bids are submitted and a hauler is selected.
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