Trash talks continued in Lansdale Borough’s Public Works Committee this month, with one councilor suggesting an opt-in program for residents should Lansdale turn to its own trash hauling services, according to The Reporter.
“What would be the feasibility of an opt-in program? What would that look like?” said Councilman Mark Ladley in the article. “I do believe we should be looking at some options to evaluate whether we can have something to help us mitigate some of our costs, so we don’t have to continually raise taxes. Maybe it helps us a little bit … Should we now just be looking at the feasibility of just doing it for the municipality? Not doing it for the residents, just the municipality picking up its own trash?”
According to the article, Lansdale spends between $70,000 to $80,000 in private hauling of its municipal trash. In-house collection could reduce that cost, factored in with possible grant funding for an in-house program and the use of alternative fuel vehicles to collect the trash, per the report.
Ladley believed some type of pricing can be provided to residents that “could proliferate the program and create an alternate source of revenue” versus a mandated municipal system.
Ladley is a bit weary of a single-hauler, as “my trash company has had a recent problem just getting trash into the truck.”
Public Works Director Chris Kunkel told committee members the notion is to create a pilot program for residents, and staff has started looking into grant funding options for such a program, per the report.
The main issue is finding a place to compact the trash.
Committee member Councilman Rich DiGregorio stood fast on his belief that the trash issue should be tabled until the borough addresses its roads and other improvements through the town’s capital plan.
“We need to get our infrastructure in a good place. We have old pipes in the ground, old machines,” he said.
Committee Chairman BJ Breish wanted to continue researching grant funds before the borough decides to spend money on a consultant, according to the report.
“There might be an opportunity that, not only would it not cost money, it might save us money. I think it’s too early to say ‘No, we shouldn’t be looking at this.’ We don’t know the costs, we don’t know if there’s savings, we don’t know if it’s net-zero,” Breish said. Read more on the single trash hauler discussion here.
A report from six years ago estimated a $2.6 million startup cost for a municipal-owned trash collection facility and fleet, per The Reporter, with an annual $1.2 million operating cost at a sacrifice of $20 per month per household.
A single hauler to cover the entire town was estimated in 2016 at $2 million per year, at about $23 per month per household, according to the report. Read the 2016 Lansdale Borough single trash hauler study here.
The last time the borough discussed trash was back in 2015 with a detailed study on the matter. Talks initially happened 12 years ago, followed by a survey in 2012 and 2013.
At that time, the survey showed taxpayers and residents were split on personal choice and customer service vs. taxes paying for the service. On one side were those who supported less truck traffic, reduction in pollution and preservation of alleys, and on the other side were those who wanted flexibility and choice to select their own provider.
J.P. Mascaro & Sons nearly had control of the entire borough, but a 7-2 vote against the bid award stopped that from happening. Mascaro was recommended only after a round of incomplete bids and a second round where there was only one responsible bidder, per reports.
A majority of councilors at the time criticized the bidding process.
See also:
Lansdale to Consider Hiring Consultant for Single Hauler Trash Study
Talks of Single Hauler Trash for Lansdale Resurface During Borough Council Worksession
Mayoral Musings: Talking Trash
Fundraiser Launched to Bring Skating Amenities Back to Wedgewood’s DIY Skatepark
