The Salem City Council has decided to wait two weeks before making a decision on who to award the contract for garbage collection beginning January 1st.
The apparent low bidder is Sunrise Sanitation of Salem, but Mayor Nic Farley wasn’t ready to make a decision Monday night.
“I wan to hear from references of other communities. Trash has been one of those things I’ve gotten some complaints so there are some things I want addressed in the contract language. I want our Public Works Director to ask more questions about certain languages in the contract.”
Farley is also hopeful the new contractor will change the way garbage is collected.
“Hope that we are going to go with a provider that does the tote system. I think it makes the town look nicer and easier for them to pick up the trash. It will be an adjustment for the residence. We want to get that information out as soon as we can and how we will distribute the totes and all will work. We hope to have those questions answered before our next council meeting.”
The city sought bids on a three year contract. All four of the bidders made a short pitch for their companies at the meeting.
Finance Director Keli Roth told the council a rate hike is also needed as even before the increased costs in the new contract the garbage collection fund has fallen $100,000 in the red. Roth plans to bring a plan before the city council at its next meeting to raise garbage rates and leaf collection fees to city residents.
