Waste hauler solution nears in town

The Town of Saukville has taken another step toward potentially finding a new garbage disposal provider for its recycling center.

After exploring alternatives to its current provider, Waste Management, which has failed to uphold some of its contract agreements this year, the town received a waste disposal contract proposal from Harter’s Disposal.

The town agreed to post a request for a proposal to find garbage disposal options during a Sept. 21 meeting and received a single offer from Harter’s after the 30-day window closed.

Town Attorney Sara McCarthy told town officials during a Nov. 16 meeting that the proposed contract cost would be comparable to its current Waste Management contract.

Harter’s would charge the village $175 each time the town’s 20-yard dumpster is emptied and an additional $76 per ton of garbage. Recycling disposal would also cost $175 each time it is collected and $30 per ton.

Under the Waste Management contract, the town pays $187 each time garbage is collected and $59 per ton, and $4,185 each time recycling is collected with no tonnage charge. Waste Management also charges a fuel and environment fee on top of its collection costs.

No action was taken on the proposed contract but town officials instructed McCarthy to continue discussions with Harter’s on the contract for future consideration.

Officials have cited a number of issues the town has experienced with Waste Management, including pickup delays from the  recycling center and the delivery of dumpsters that are too small.

Town Clerk Raquel Engelke told supervisors on Sept. 21 that Waste Management has continuously delivered a smaller dumpster than is specified in the contract.

While the contract calls for a 20-yard dumpster, Engelke said, Waste Management has been delivering 16.5-yard dumpsters.

With the smaller receptacle, the town has had to pay for an additional eight-yard dumpster truck to pick up the remaining trash.

“We’re being forced into pulling an eight-yard dumpster we shouldn’t have to use,” Engelke said

Town Chairman Kevin Kimmes said after months of complaints to Waste Management, the company finally delivered the correct dumpster on Nov. 12.

Given the issues the town has had with Waste Management, Kimmes asked McCarthy if the town has collected enough information on contract violations to terminate the contract without expense to the village. McCarthy said additional research will be needed before that is clear.