JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
Columbia Borough Council has decided to shelve discussions about switching to a single, borough-wide trash hauler, with members agreeing that now is not the right time to make the change.
The topic was kicked around again at the April 7 Columbia Borough Council work session — held without Mayor Leo Lutz, who was at an event at Columbia Crossing. The discussion began in January when Lutz urged council to look into trash collection under one contracted provider. Currently, residents and business owners choose their own hauler from a list of approved companies on the borough’s website.
Councilman Ethan Byers said feedback from residents is mostly against having a single hauler. However, councilman Kelly Murphy claimed there are potential upsides, including lower costs and more consistent service.
With a single-hauler, the borough would negotiate a contract with one designated trash company, but residents would give up the ability to choose their own provider.
Resident Frank Doutrich said, “I just want to know why you’re trying to fix something that’s not broke.”
Heather Zink, council vice president, suggested having an “opt-out” for residents who don’t want a borough-chosen hauler.
Former councilwoman Mary Barninger said, “This topic has many layers and more tentacles than you think.” She suggested that council meet with some of the top single hauler vendors it wants to do business with, to find out about issues such as pricing, dumping, pickup, etc. She also suggested putting the issue on a referendum to find out what residents really want.
After a nearly hour-long discussion, council decided to drop the idea. Byers said, “It’s a significant undertaking and we have enough stuff on our plate this year,” he said. “I don’t know if we want to add the complexity that it would require to do it well, on top of everything else this year.”
Councilman Tom Ziegler, who was previously “fairly supportive” of having a single hauler, said he changed his mind after hearing citizen comments.
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