Connellsville
CONNELLSVILLE – Residents will be paying a little less to have their garbage collected by Veolia Environmental Services following Thursday council action. However, the amount might have been reduced further had the panel agreed to award the bid to Allied Waste.
By a 3-to-1-vote margin, council opted to enter into a two-year contract with the McClellandtown firm to provide residential and commercial refuse collection services.
Veolia is the current refuse hauler for the city.
In presenting the motion, Councilman David McIntire said that the decision “wasn’t easy” and instead of recommending Allied, selected Veolia because it offered the city a higher franchise fee.
“During the budget meetings we’ve talked about the need for revenue,” he said. “We have a history with Veolia; whenever we or customers have called, they have always tried to work with us.”
According to the figures, Veolia will pay the city $8,000 per month versus the offering of $6,610 per month from Allied for the exclusive contract.
Residential customers now pay $10.77 per month for curb service. Over the next two years the monthly cost will be $10.23. Those residents that need rear yard pick up will pay a monthly fee of $15.
The bid offered by Allied for residential curbside pick up was $10.
Commercial business owners will see a price hike in collection rates, ranging from $73 to $450, depending upon the amount of garbage.
Allied’s bid for commercial pick up ranged from $63 to $395.
Councilman Charles Matthews, who cast the lone no vote, said he would have preferred Allied Waste because the firm offered a lower commercial customer rate.
“I felt bad a couple of years ago when I chose (Veolia) because of the lower residential rate, but, at the same time, stuck it to the commercial (business) owners,” he said. “I wanted to give them a break this time.”
Allied Waste general manager Dave Smith attended the meeting and asked to offer comments to explain the company’s bid during the council discussion of the matter. However, Mayor Judy Reed denied him the opportunity, noting that the public comment period had expired.
Along with McIntire and Reed, Councilman Terry Bodes supported the measure.
The contract extends through October 2011.
Turning to other matters, council nixed a motion by Reed to enter into a 20-year lease agreement with the Connellsville Auxiliary Police to operate the Cream of the Trail refreshment stand at Yough Park.
Reed said that the agreement would aid the volunteer organization in raising funds for needed equipment.
“(The agreement) is in appreciation for all the things they have done on behalf of the city,” said Reed.
During public comment, resident and business owner Geno Gallo questioned whether the city had sought bids to operate the stand.
“(The auxiliary) is a fine organization,” he said. “However, I’m really concerned that there has been no discussion about putting (the lease) out to bid to trail entrepreneurs or outfitters.”
Matthews said that he had yet to review any proposed lease agreement and chastised Reed for considering entering into a long-range contract before leaving office.
“It is another slap in the face to the incoming council,” he said. “You can enter into it if you want, but I don’t know that it will be binding.”
Reed’s term of office ends Dec. 31.
The resolution failed to receive a majority vote, with McIntire and Matthews voting no and Reed and Bodes supporting the measure. Councilman Brad Geyer was absent from the meeting.
In other matters, council also conducted the following business:
Announced Trick or Treat will be held Sunday, Oct. 25 from 4 to 5 p.m. for city residents.
Reminded residents that the New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co. will hold the annual Halloween parade on Oct. 27 beginning at 7 p.m.