Abington weighs two refuse contract options as current deal nears October expiration

Abington Township staff presented options for solid-waste disposal at the Aug. 14 Board of Commissioners working session, warning commissioners that the township’s current contract extension with Reworld (formerly Covanta) expires in October and that a decision will be required in September.

Mike Jones, a township refuse department staff member, told the board the township received competing bids for two operating models: direct hauling (trucks pick up curbside and haul directly to a disposal facility) and the current transfer-station model (curbside trucks dump at the township transfer station and the contractor hauls refuse from that station to the disposal plant). Jones said the township’s current payment for disposal is $79.35 per ton and that the township averages roughly 18,500 tons per year.

Why it matters: The bids show a trade-off between short-term per-ton costs and operational impacts. Direct hauling returned lower per-ton bids in initial responses but would shift vehicle miles, fuel, maintenance and potential service risks onto the township. The transfer-station model would maintain the current service pattern but at a higher per-ton cost in year one.

Key numbers and options presented - Current disposal cost: $79.35 per ton (township staff figure). Average annual tonnage used for calculations: 18,500 tons. - Option 1 (direct haul): responsible bids included prices as low as about $60 per ton; staff cautioned this option carries added operational expenses (fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance) and potential service impacts (double-day collections, holiday schedules, recycling continuity). Jones said a multiyear projection shows roughly $2 million in savings over five years for direct haul in the bid responses, but those savings carry uncertainties tied to operational costs. - Option 2 (current model): responsible bid example shown at $95 per ton in year one, which preserves the existing curbside-to-transfer-station-to-contractor workflow and would avoid immediate service changes but raises disposal costs.

Budget and rate implications Jones presented scenarios showing that without a fee increase the refuse fund would run a deficit given the new contract prices and capital needs. He showed a proposed capital purchase plan that includes $1.2 million for three refuse trucks (replacement capital) and presented sample household rate increases (figures shown in the meeting slide deck included a current 95-gallon can rate listed as $2.75, with example increases presented; the meeting did not specify whether those rates were monthly or annual). Jones said staff would return in September with a recommendation aimed at meeting the contractual deadline.

Commissioners pressed for service continuity, especially for recycling on holiday and double-day schedules. President Hecker said maintaining the current level of service is a priority; commissioners asked for detail on costs, capital replacement timing, and options that would avoid service degradation.

Operational consequences and assets Under direct haul, the township would no longer operate the transfer station on Fitzwilliam Town Road; Jones said the township owns that property, has one full-time operator there, and would likely mothball the facility or absorb staffing through attrition if the board chose direct haul. Commissioners asked staff to explore future uses or disposal options for the transfer-station site.

Public comment and next steps No formal vote was taken Aug. 14. Jones said the township received a three-month extension on the existing contract that runs until October and expects to return in September with a recommendation and-or an action item to meet that deadline. Public commenters praised past efforts to keep rates low and asked for timely release of budget documents before public hearings.

A statement from Jones during the presentation: "Currently, Reworld has the contract for disposing all of our trash to take it from our trash transfer station to their facility... our contract expired; we got an extension for three months, which is going to expire in October."