A new garbage hauling contract for West Deer residents began this week with costs jumping 34%.
Supervisors in October approved a contract with County Hauling for a three-year deal. It came after current hauler Shank Waste Service opted out of its alternate years, Township Manager Daniel Mator said.
“New service was advertised and solicited to every trash hauler we knew of in Western Pennsylvania,” he said. “Three contractors showed interest, but one of the three said they do not yet have the logistics in place to service the township.”
County Hauling and Shank Waste Services each submitted proposals, with County Hauling being the lowest of the pair.
Under the new agreement, residents will pay $32.25 per month in 2025, up from $24. In 2026, fees climb to $33.86 a month and then to $35.55 a month in 2027.
The board has the option to add two years to the contract with the Belle Vernon-based hauler. If approved, costs would be $38.22 in 2028 and $41.09 in 2029.
The contract covers trash and recyclables, and service will be the same as what residents are used to, Mator said.
He told the board before their vote that the contract is identical.
About 90% to 95% of properties will have the same service day as they have currently, according to County Hauling. The company will have trucks in the township every day for the next few weeks to make sure any problems are taken care of.
Also, residents who are part of the Senior Sticker Program will continue to get that perk. It offers senior citizens a price per bag rather than a monthly fee.
Participants can continue to use stickers from the previous hauler for the first 60 days of the year. After that, they will have to purchase new stickers from County Hauling for $3 a bag.
“West Deer is the only municipality that we know of that has haulers offer a Senior Sticker Program,” Mator said.
Across the Alle-Kiski Valley, several municipalities have faced similar issues with fewer hauling companies bidding on work, often resulting in higher costs.
In East Deer, commissioners rebid the township’s contract for the first time in eight years. It resulted in a 35% increase.
Slickville-based Bankosh Sanitation retained the deal, but residents will pay $21 a month, up from $15.50.
In Springdale, rates will increase about 28% this year, or $15 per quarter, from $54 to $69. The borough has a new contract with County Hauling which they bid jointly with Cheswick and Springdale Township.
Officials said the joint effort prevented an even larger increase.
West Deer officials were expecting County Hauling to send letters to each property to kick off the new program but were informed last week that there was a printing delay. The letters will still be mailed but, in the meantime, pertinent information is listed on the township website at westdeertownship.com.