Weissport awards garbage contract to Tamaqua Transfer

After a brief discussion, members of Weissport Council voted to award the garbage bill to the lowest bidder for three year contract. This motion effectively changes the company who will pick up trash in Weissport from present hauler Mc Auliffe Hauling and Recycling of Walnutport to Tamaqua Transfer and Recycling of Tamaqua.

Bids were received at the Oct. 5 meeting, but council members had chosen to take the time to review the contracts before awarding the bid at their next meeting which was held Monday. Mc Auliffe bid $108,283 for the three year contract, while Tamaqua Transfer bid $104,250 or a difference of $4,033 over the course of the three year contract.

Mc Auliffe had offered to extend the present contract by one year for an additional $2,340, but after some debate on the merits of accepting the year extension over possible higher rates next year and having to pay to re bid the contract next year, council voted to accept the lowest bid of Tamaqua Transfer.

"You've always done a three-year contract," advised Att. Michael Ozalas, Weissport Council's solicitor.

Council member Tommy McEvilly was the most vocal to take Tamaqua Transfer's bid offer. McEvilly said that since council has undertaken the expense of bidding the garbage contract, it should not take Mc Auliffe's offer simply because "they did not sharpen their pencil enough."

Residents of Weissport pay $185 for weekly pick up, while tap rooms pay $220.25 and large businesses pay $349.50.

McEvilly announced the names of three residents who have not paid their garbage bills and whose names and billing information were forwarded to Att. Ozalas to place judgments against them for payment.

Council plans to preliminarily adopt the 2010 budget at the Nov. 16 meeting. Council has met in two budget meetings and have discussed the possibility of raising taxes.

Shannon McAward, council president announced that the new police car is presently at Ruckles Auto Body, Pottstown, where it is being fitted with a police package at a cost of $6,008. Funds for the car and police package were provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The $40,000 grant will be used to purchase the car, plus provide $2,850 toward other police equipment. The remaining funds will be used to purchase new street signs in the borough.