With the township’s current trash collections contract expiring at the end of January, the Township Council will be asked to look into approving a contract with a new vendor — Waste Management.
The Houston-based contractor was one of two companies that submitted bids to West Windsor for solid waste collection this past fall. Business Administrator Robert Hary told the council during the December 20 meeting that Waste Management came in with lower bids than Central Jersey Waste, the township’s current provider, which also submitted bids.
Hary said he would provide the documentation to the Township Council in advance of its next meeting on Monday, January 10, so that a vote can be taken before the current contract expires on January 31.
Township officials went out to bid for solid waste collection in hopes of saving money. Prior to going out to bid, officials discussed possible changes to the township’s collection schedule.
For the past five years, the township has a winter and summer collection schedule, which consists of one collection per week from January through mid-May and then a summer schedule that is from mid-May through early September, which involves two collections per week.
In the bid specifications, the township included a variety of options. One is to provide bidders with the opportunity to bid on contracts ranging anywhere from one to five years. They could bid on either a contract that specifies a winter and summer schedule or one that includes once-a-week pick-up year-round — both collected by diesel-fueled trucks.
Then they had the opportunity to bid either a winter/summer or once-a-week year-round collections that will be done by “clean technology” trucks.
“We had numerous alternates and options,” said Hary of the bids. “At this point, we don’t have anything definite with regard to the garbage contract because it is such a detailed document, and it has to be reviewed for accuracy by the township attorney.”
However, “regardless of any options or alternates, Waste Management did come in with lower prices than Central Jersey Waste, which is our current provider,” Hary added.
Officials will notify both bidders to ensure there is a smooth transition for residents. The new contract will be effective February 1.
