N.B. DPW decides not to collect garbage in-house
Suggests a contract withWasteManagement for pickup
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The township Department of Public Works said a contract with Waste Management would be the most cost-effective method of collecting solid waste in town.

The recommendation was made by department Director Glenn Sandor at Monday night's Township Council workshop meeting, a change from the initial suggestion of having the department resume control in-house come July 1.

The topic was originally discussed at a council meeting on April 28, using estimated numbers because the actual bids for a front-load refuse truck and large refuse containers were not in. When the costs were recalculated, it was determined that the bids for the containers were double the amount budgeted for.

Therefore, the cost that Waste Management is proposing for each year of the five-year lease is $565,000, while the Public Works number jumped from $595,000 to $632,000. The advantage is that the Waste Management cost is fixed, despite rising fuel costs, maintenance of vehicles, injury claims, etc.

"At least in this five-year period we're locked into these rates," said Councilman Carlo Socio.

The savings translate roughly into $234,000 per year for each year of the contract, or at least $1 million overall.

"$1.2 million can turn into an even larger savings. Or, if we do this in-house, we could really get whacked with oil, gas, things like that," said Councilman Bob Davis.

Either method is still considerably cheaper than the cost of reimbursing apartment complexes for their own pickup, which is required now per state law. Councilman Bob Corbin stated that although the $800,000 estimate per year is expensive, costs could rise even higher as years go on because associations would have control over which company they choose, not the township.

A resolution will go before the council at its public meeting on Monday.

"We're very excited, hoping to be a partner with North Brunswick," said Jack Bernadino of Waste Management.