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Law says townships rule on trash hauling
(by Joan Demirjian - August 25, 2010)
Law says townships rule on trash hauling
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Local governments have the authority to contract with single trash haulers, according to Bob Villers, director of the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District.
Russell Township's action to contract with one trash hauler is being questioned by some residents.
Through a ruling by the Ohio Attorney General's Office, community leaders have a right to contract for one hauler in their communities, Mr. Villers said.
Howland and Liberty townships in Trumbull County are contracting with single haulers.
"They get good prices and curb-side recycling," Mr. Villers said. And there is less wear and tear on the roadways, he said. "There are a lot of benefits."
Legally, it is not infringing on anyone's rights, Mr. Villers said. "Residents are happy in the communities where it is being done."
Russell Trustee James Dickinson said the Ohio Revised Code gives townships authority to grant an exclusive contract to one trash hauler. He said they are still reviewing the contract. "It's not signed yet," he said.
"I thought there would be more opposition, because people don't like change," Mr. Dickinson said. "They like what they have, whether it's better or not.
"I think this is the best overall for the township," he said of the contract with Waste Management Inc. The company was chosen by Mr. Dickinson and Trustee James Mueller from five bids.
Fewer heavy trucks will save township roads, and residents will save money, Mr. Dickinson said.
The agenda is to improve services and encourage recycling, he said. "Curb-side recycling goes a long way to make it easier for people."
And other townships are asking to review Russell's contract, Mr. Dickinson said. This could spawn other such arrangements in other communities, he said.
Resident Martin Winston said those who attended the Aug. 18 Township Trustees' meeting sent trustees a clear message that they did not like being left out of the loop in the decision on who would be chosen for providing the services. "I think it would have been much smarter for the trustees to put the bid alternatives on the ballot and let the direct vote of the residents decide," he said.
Mr. Mueller said, when 2,500 homes are aggregated, there will be better pricing than an individual can get with a service provider.
The average person pays $80 to $90 per quarter, he said. Under the bid of Waste Management, residents will be paying about $47 per quarter for trash pickup and curb-side recycling, he said.
"No one likes changes, but I am firmly convinced people will be pleased with the decision we made," he said.
Often, people are elected to office and are not willing to take a chance, Mr. Mueller said. "If you do the same thing that has always been done, you're going to get the same results. It takes political courage to make the changes that make the system better," he said.
With fewer rubbish trucks, township roads will be saved. In the past two years, the township has completed $2 million in paving projects. "One of the things we have to do is protect our investment," Mr. Mueller said.
There is talk of a lawsuit to stop the plan, with questions surrounding the bidding.
Mr. Mueller said trustees put out a notice to bidders to pick up bid packages. He put together the basics using information from the City of Kirtland, which has a contract with one hauler.
A pre-bid meeting was held and a couple of companies said they could not quote on the project so he said accommodations would be made, Mr. Mueller said.
"I made some changes and sent an e-mail to other Township Trustees and asked for comments," he said. "It was a level playing field, and we went with the lowest and best bid."
Trustee Christina Port has not supported the single-hauler contract. And she said she would have liked to give people more time to comment at the Aug. 18 meeting.
"I think it would have been nice to hear more comments so people could express their concerns," Ms. Port said.
"It's their opinion and it's good to hear what's on their minds. It was a spirited discussion. I thought it was good."
Ms. Port said she has not seen the contract language, only the bid package and the spreadsheet.
The township does not have an income tax to pay for the service, she said. "How do you ask homeowners to pay for something decided by Township Trustees?"
Elsewhere in Geauga County, South Russell officials had been considering the pros and cons of contracting with one hauler for the village.
However, Councilwoman Mary Beth Wolfe said the public utilities committee has recommended not to pursue one trash hauler at this time. There does not appear to be enough support or residents' requests for it, she said.
Two public hearings have been held, and there was only a sparse attendance. A survey was sent, and 200 were sent back, she said.
"And not all were in favor of moving forward," Mrs. Wolfe said. People like who they are doing business with, she said.
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