Apr 5, 2002 By Ted Boscia 3 min read

MENALLEN TWP. – Township supervisors awarded another four-year contract for garbage collection in the community to JC Sanitation Thursday, but the selection came under heavy fire from a competing bidder. Mario Piccolomino, representing Fayette Waste, disputed the supervisors’ decision to restrict the bid’s specifications to a rear-loading garbage truck that measured 11 yards or less in length.

“We have vehicles, but we don’t have one meeting those specifications,” Piccolomino said. “It doesn’t make sense to go out and buy a $75,000 vehicle when we don’t have a contract.”

Piccolomino argued that his $5,000 bid bond – promising that upon the awarding of the contract his company would purchase a truck that meets the supervisors’ specifications – was sufficient under the terms of the advertised bid.

The supervisors wouldn’t budge from their requirement that the trucks be present at the opening of the bids, however.

“The bottom line is you don’t have them here,” said Supervisor Joe Petrucci. “We requested that you own them at the time. It’s not what you can promise, but what we demand you have at the time.”

Chairman Tweety Yatsko said the smaller trucks were necessary to protect township roads.

“We’ve had these bigger trucks come in here and bust our pipes and our roads,” Yatsko said. “It’s because of what’s happened to our roads in past years. We’re ultimately responsible for these guys.”

After inspecting two of JC Sanitation’s trucks for compliance with the bid’s specifications, supervisors awarded them the contract, based on their low offer.

Each bid’s rates were close enough that supervisors had to project the cost to the township over the course of a year. Fayette Waste’s bid amounts to about $176,172 per year, while JC Sanitation’s bid totals about $172,740 per year.

“I’ve known the Piccolominos for a very long time, and they’re hard-working, respecting people,” Petrucci said after the vote. “I’m glad they made a bid, even though they didn’t get it. I’d like to thank them, if nothing else, because they forced JC Sanitation to drop their price.”

In a related matter, Petrucci announced the dates for the township’s annual spring cleanup days: April 15 to 19.

He said township residents may leave larger items out on their assigned day for garbage collection, and the trash hauler will accept anything other than tires or toxic materials. He added that the cleanup is intended for residents, not businesses, and those who need special assistance should contact the supervisors.

Before adjourning, supervisors conducted the following business:

– Voted to sign an agreement with PennDOT to maintain a traffic signal that will be installed at the intersection of Route 51 and Upper Middletown Road, where a flashing light is in place.

“This is a long time coming,” Petrucci said. “It’s a bad spot. (State Rep.) Jim Shaner (D-Dunbar) did a great job helping us with this, and we thank him.”

Petrucci said the light should be in place sometime this summer.

– Announced that many township residents are yet to sign right-of-way agreements for the current sewer project. The township building will be open for those who wish to do so.

– Agreed to seek bids for a new truck to replace an older model.

– Reminded residents to maintain their yards when summer starts and that burning days will be scaled back to Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning May 1.