Politics & Government

Mahwah Nixes Proposal to Return to Twice-Weekly Trash Pick-Up All Year

By sticking with its current six month on, six month off plan, the township saves about $48,000 a year, council members said.

A proposal to return the township to twice weekly garbage pick-up for the entire year was turned down at a recent Mahwah township council meeting. Council members who voted against the proposal cited the cost saving associated with sticking to the town’s current six months on, six months off method.

During a council discussion last Thursday on renewing the township’s trash collection contract with outside vendor Suburban Roselle, Councilman Rob Hermansen suggested the township return to a twice-a-week pick-up for the entire year. The cost of switching would be an additional $48,000 annually, he said.

When the township initially limited trash pick-ups several years ago, Mahwah residents had once-a-week garbage pick-up for eight months out of the year, and twice weekly for four. Under that plan, “we did receive complaints,” Business Administrator Brian Campion said at the meeting.

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“We extended the [twice weekly] pick-up during the warmer months, and really haven’t heard any complaints since.”

Though Hermansen said he has received complaints from residents about the six months of once-a-week pick-up, most other council members said they have not.

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“I have not heard any negatives about it at all,” Councilman Harry Williams said.

“And I would not minimize $48,000.”

Councilman Roy Larson said personally, he’d “love to see us go back to twice a week. But, for the money, I think we should stay with what we have.”

Hermansen and Councilman Steve Sbarra voted against approving the Suburban contract that calls for the 6-month plan. The contract passed in a 3-2 vote.

What do you think? Would you prefer once-a-week pick-up all year long? Let us know in the comments section below.


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