Trash Services Could be Shared Between BOE, Twp.

is considering sharing garbage services with the if it means reducing costs for both entities.

The township's current garbage services contract is set to expire in February, according to a memo sent by Assistant Township Administrator Adam Brewer to township committee members and discussed by the committee during last week's meeting. During the meeting, Township Administrator Victor Canning said the consideration of including the board of education in the township's contract is two-fold: the cost of collecting garbage may be reduced and the recycling tonnage could potentially increase.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Fried said he is happy that the school district and township are considering working together on the contract and that it "can only be positive" for both entities.

"Both the township and the school district have been working on moving toward this," he said.

Brewer also said the entities have been working together in hopes money can be saved.

"The board of education and township have been working hard together in an effort to save tax dollars," Brewer said.

Outlined in the bid specifications are several options for bidders to provide pricing on, such as once weekly, twice weekly and seasonal frequency (twice weekly May through August and once weekly the rest of the year) pickups, as well as including pickup for the board of education facilities. Bulk pickup waste options include once weekly and once monthly pickups and single-stream recycling pickup options are once weekly, on alternating weeks and including the board of education pickup. Vegetative waste pickup options included in the bid specifications are also for once weekly and on alternating week pickups.

A dual-stream recycling option is not included in the bid specifications, but the with the single-stream recycling program after moving toward it under the current contract.

Canning asked for committee members to pass along their suggestions for the bid specifications before they are advertised later this month.