[Spy Note: Council hasn’t adequately explained how having a single trash hauler would benefit residents.]
When: Columbia Borough Council meeting Sept. 3. Council members Joanne Price and Todd Burgard were absent.
What happened: Council members will explore contracting with a single trash hauler for the borough instead of allowing residents and businesses to choose from one of the eight companies that operate in Columbia.
Why it matters: Borough workers have a tough time keeping track of accumulated refuse because they don’t receive notification if a company stops collecting trash over an unpaid bill or if someone fails to hire a company, Heather Zink, borough president, said, adding that residents and businesses could save money if one hauler handles trash for the entire borough.
Caveat: Borough officials want to hear public comments before making any decisions.
Quotable: “We may have residents who feel strongly one way or the other,” Zink said in a Sept. 4 phone call. “This is a pretty significant change from what they’re used to.”
Why now: The owners of two of the borough’s longtime hauling companies have announced retirements, Mayor Leo Lutz said. “The time is right” to select a single company, he said. Zink pointed to excessive trash violations.
Next steps: Council asked Evan Gabel, borough solicitor, to prepare a request for proposal. Members will likely discuss whether to issue it sometime in October, allowing time for public comments. A move to a single hauler would happen near the end of this year, Zink said.
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Columbia Spy 
I vote to keep the independent trash haulers. We should be able to decide who we want and not be forced to a single hauler. The two independents that retired found a company to replace them, we were not left without a trash hauler. Keep the independents in business.
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Independent haulers have different prices that we should have the right to pick what we want to pay. Another issue is picking up the trash a certain day. How will that be divided because I’m sure it won’t just be one day?
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