'Twice-A-Week Was The Budget Breaker': Mayor Talks Garbage Pickup

MANALAPAN, NJ — Residents have been outraged with the changes in garbage pickup. On Wednesday, Manalapan Mayor Jack McNaboe addressed the issue, explaining that the town simply could not financially sustain the previous twice-a-week garbage pickup schedule.

The township had to go into a new garbage contract back in April, as there was no option to extend the old one, McNaboe said.

The current once-a-week pickup contract officials selected — with recycling pickup every two weeks — is 25 percent more expensive than the previous twice-a-week garbage that it replaced, according to the Mayor.

"Staying at the twice-a-week was the budget breaker. It could not be done. Didn't matter if we wanted it, everybody in town wanted it," McNaboe said.

Officials had the option to pick between five levels of trash pick up, including everything from no trash pickup at all to the use of a one-arm bandit, which automatically picks up trash cans.

"We went as far as we could and keep it affordable for the residents of Manalapan," McNaboe said. "Obviously we could have cut the garbage out completely and said to the residents you're gonna have to get your own garbage, but here's a mild tax cut. Our picking up the garbage townwide is still a great deal, it's just a matter of how we were able to do it."

An online petition asking the Township Committee to revisit their decision has been circulating. There was a total of 1,329 signatures as of Thursday early afternoon.

The website also shows messages shared by township residents about issues with their trash.

"With COVID-19 I started getting everything delivered. Not a good plan to lose recycling days," one resident said. "My yard is piling up. Getting more wildlife in my garbage and making a mess every day," another complained.

The group putting together the petition (Let's Talk Trash Manalapan) also said that garbage is piling up in people's homes and on the streets, "creating foul odors and attracting vermin."

Residents will have the option to address the Mayor in person at the next Coffee With the Mayor event, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Sept. 26. Deputy Mayor Susan Cohen will also be present.