Politics & Government

Palmer Trash Contracts Unique

Palmer Township split its waste hauling into three contracts. Now other municipalities are considering a similar move.

Palmer Township has a waste hauling contract system in place that few have tried before.

But now others are interested in the same setup.

Palmer Township wrapped up its trifecta by awarding its waste hauling contract last week to Waste Management Inc.

Find out what's happening in Palmer-Forkswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In May, the township decided to split its garbage collection contract into three: for hauling, disposal and recycling.

The moves will save the township -- and residents -- a decent amount of money over the next five to eight years.

Find out what's happening in Palmer-Forkswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We made it competitive by breaking it up into three separate contracts," Supervisors Chairman Dave Colver said.

"I don't know if it's ever been done in the state or the country."

Colver, in a comment on a Patch.com story over the weekend, said that "a number of local municipalities have already contacted us about our process and following our lead."

At a recent Forks Township Board of Supervisors meeting, Forks officials wondered whether they might be able to follow Palmer's example.

Colver thanked Palmer's Environmental Steering Committee and recycling coordinator Cindy Oatis.

Residents' garbage bills will drop $29 a year for at least five years and possibly eight if Palmer extends the contracts on an annual basis once a year for three years.


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