LOWER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — They were right: Trash collection fees are taking a leap in Lower Macungie Township.
Township commissioners on Thursday reviewed bids for township trash collection and signed a new contract with Waste Management for waste services.
After reviewing bids that also came from Whitetail and J.P. Mascaro & Sons, commissioners voted to approve a contract with Waste Management for municipal solid waste and recycling, yard waste, grass, household hazardous waste and e-waste picked up at residents' door.
The cost for residents will be $125.31 per quarter; $139 per quarter with township administrative fees.
"This was a huge effort undertaken by everybody. I will tell you, it's probably the largest effort I've seen since my time on the board, to come up with such a complicated solution to a difficult problem."Lower Macungie Township Commissioners President Brian Higgins
Board President Brian Higgins said that's a 54.4% increase over what township residents now pay, which is listed on the township's fee schedule as $90 per quarter.
"This was a huge effort undertaken by everybody," Higgins said. "I will tell you, it's probably the largest effort I've seen since my time on the board, to come up with such a complicated solution to a difficult problem."
Preparing residents for increase
Township staff said discussions have been ongoing related to the expiring contract for about a year.
Lower Macungie previously issued notices to residents that neighboring communities have seen increases of 50% to 60% or more in solid waste contracts, and it could come as a shock to residents if they are not anticipating it.
"I'm comfortable in saying that our increase, if not the lowest in the area, is really close to the lowest in the area compared to other communities."Lower Macungie Township Commissioners President Brian Higgins
Municipalities such as Easton, Allentown, Bethlehem, South Whitehall Township and Macungie are among those that have wrestled with significant cost increases for new trash contracts.
Lower Macungie officials said they anticipated this when approving the 2024 budget in December, accounting for as much as a 60% rate increase for the last four months of 2024.
"We've known about this for nine months, we've tried to reassure everybody for nine months that we will look into this," Higgins said.
"I'm comfortable in saying that our increase, if not the lowest in the area, is really close to the lowest in the area compared to other communities."
Municipal and refuse company officials said increased costs in the market stem from heightened fuel cost, staffing challenges and increasing equipment and insurance costs.
Contract continues WM service
Lower Macungie's current contract ends in August, with the new contract set to be in place at the start of September.
Its duration is for the rest of 2024 plus three years, with the opportunity for extension if the township wishes.
Commissioner Ron R. Beitler favored a bid from Whitetail that came in at a lower cost but did not include the same hazardous waste, e-waste and household waste services.
"It's just my feeling that a large majority of the population does not use all three, mainly the hazardous waste disposal," Beitler said.
Commissioner Brian Higgins voiced disappointment in Waste Management's proposal, saying the township has been a "really good customer" of WM "for a very long time."
Still, he favored the Waste Management proposal because of the continuation of services offered and keeping as close to the status quo as possible.
Households will get one 96-gallon garbage container with the option for more at an additional fee.
About 9,000 households receive the service.
The township's contracted services do not pertain to apartments, condominiums, private communities, commercial establishments or manufactured home parks.
