Village's New Garbage Contract Could Mean Savings for Residents

Oswego are inching closer to a new waste hauler contract in the village that may save residents as much as $45 a year.

At Tuesday night's Committee of the Whole meeting, trustees discussed bid proposals from four different waste haulers—current provider Republic Services, Waste Management, Veolia Environmental Services and Groot Industries Inc.

The village requested bids based on three service options. Option A was to keep the service as is. Option B would limit weekly collection to two 33-gallon toters or one 65-gallon toter. Residents would pay through a sticker program for anything above that limit. Option C would be limited to a 33-gallon, 65-gallon or 96-gallon toter with residents also paying for stickers for extra waste.

Gail Johnson and Judy Sollinger were the only trustees to voice support of Option B.

“I think it’s time for the board to step up and limit the amount of trash,” Johnson said. “I think letting people throw out unlimited trash is irresponsible.”

The case for Option B is that it would theoretically encourage more recycling among residents. However, trustees supporting Option A said it would lead to illegal dumping and garbage hoarding from residents who don’t want to purchase stickers for extra trash.

Trustee Jeff Lawson again pointed to a in which 86 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with the current service and 97 percent said they already recycle.

Residents now pay $20.44 per month for garbage service. In all options, Groot and Republic were the low bidders in the new contract. For Option A, Groot would charge $17.25 per month in the first year with the cost increasing each year of a five-year contract to $20.97 by year five. Republic’s service in Option A would start at $17.75 a month and end at $20.76.

In Option B, Groot would start at $16.75 and end at $20.36. Republic’s price would remain the same. Also in Option B, both companies would offer an optional 65-gallon toter to residents an extra $2 per month.

Seniors also would see savings of about $200 during the course of the five-year deal. 

Trustees could vote on the option and contractor as soon as their May 15 meeting. Though Groot was the low bidder, trustees said service provided by Republic for the past five years has been excellent and they may opt to not switch providers.