The Middletown Common Council opened five sealed bids on Dec. 12 for sludge hauling and disposal from the city wastewater treatment plant and voted to refer the proposals to the Commissioner of Public Works for review and recommendation to the council.

Council members opened bids from Environmental Protection and Improvement Company (Newark, N.J.), SpectraServe, Delaney (listed as Denali/Delaney in the transcript), Wind River Earth Care (listed as Earthcare Wind River Environmental), and TAM Enterprises. The council voted by voice to refer the bids for staff review and recommendation; Council President Rodriguez seconded the referral motion.

Bidders and the prices they submitted (per ton) for the initial three-year term, as read into the record: Environmental Protection and Improvement Company — $149.87 per ton (with option years at $155.12; $160.54; $165.35). SpectraServe — $205.00 per ton (option years $215.00; $222.00; $228.50). Delaney — $156.00 per ton (option years $163.80; $168.71; $173.78). Wind River Earth Care — $247.00 per ton (option years $271.70; $298.87; $328.706). TAM Enterprises — $136.00 per ton (option years $142.00; $145.00; $148.00).

The council did not record roll-call vote counts in the minutes excerpt; the motion to refer passed on a voice vote with members answering “Aye.” The bids will be reviewed by the Commissioner of Public Works, who is to prepare a recommendation for the council.

The council did not discuss awarding the contract at the meeting; the action on Dec. 12 was limited to opening the sealed bids on the record and referring them for staff review.