by Jeff Saunders
Reporter
Northfield Center -- Township residents could see their garbage bills rise a few dollars a month, unless officials choose to trash the curbside recycling service.
Trustees on May 5 opened bids for a new waste-hauling contract from Dover-based J&J Refuse -- the township's current hauler -- and Glenwillow-based Waste Management of Ohio.
J&J's three-year contract expires at the end of this month, but township leaders decided to turn down optional fourth- and fifth-year extensions through 2010 and pursue a new contract.
The new bids provide several options for Trustees to choose from (see chart for price details), including variable rates that would include a "fuel surcharge" determined by the price of gas. The fixed-rate options are in the same price range, give or take a dollar, as residents currently pay.
However, under all of the options, curbside recycling, which is included at no extra cost in the current garbage fee, would cost an extra fee.
While Trustee Rich Reville said he feels the township should have exercised its option for a fourth year with J&J, Trustee Chairman Paul Buescher said he "just wanted to see what else was out there."
In addition, both Buescher and Trustee Brent Sommer said they have received resident complaints about J&J's service, but most were from more than two years ago. Buescher also said he believed waste haulers already sorted and recycled the garbage at area transfer stations, even if curbside recycling is not utilized by residents.
However, Don Johnson, general manager of J&J's Twinsburg Township waste transfer station, said the facility processes recyclables, but only if they are pre-separated.
"We don't make a habit of going through the trash, it's dangerous," he said.
He declined comment on the reported complaints.
Buescher said he expects Trustees will make a decision on the contract at their May 19 meeting.
E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169